# NTSB NYC88LA161: Burkhart Grob G-103A, N49443, Franconia, NH, June 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 5, 1988, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Franconia, NH
- Location: 44.1960° N, 71.7507° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at FRANCONIA (1B5), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.1960&lon=-71.7507&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 29, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36165
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA161
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36165/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA161

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - turbulence (contributing factor)
  - glider/tow release - premature, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, TURBULENCE WAS ENCOUNTERED AND THE STUDENT PILOT HAD A HARD TIME CONTROLLING THE GLIDER. AS THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL, THE STUDENT RELEASED THE TOW ROPE. THE INSTRUCTOR PUSHED THE NOSE DOWN AND TURNED IN AN ATTEMPT TO LEVEL THE WINGS, BUT THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND, SNAPPING OFF THE TAIL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49443](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49443-2011-08-11), registration cancelled 2011-08-11, S/N 3848-K-94 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-103A
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103-twin-ii) (registry code 1660203) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3848-K94
- Airframe hours: 1150
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Foxfire Aviation
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: 1B5, FRANCONIA, NH
- Airport: 1B5, Franconia, runway 36, 2,180 × 180 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,855 total, 45 in this make and model, 3,675 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 30 knots, gusting 30
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19880605017969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880605017969A), Jun 5, 1988: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Franconia, NH, Substantial damage. Severe turbulence on glider tow. Student aborted tow as CFI took over. Wing hit ground and glider cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N49443 (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX07CA154](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA154), May 10, 2007: Burkhart Grob G103 Twin II (N49443), Minden, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain an adequate airspeed, which led to an inadvertent stall.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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