# NTSB NYC90LA124: Burkhart Grob G103, N3836H, Barre, MA, June 2, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1990, 12:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Barre, MA
- Location: 42.4230° N, 72.1064° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Barre, MA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.4230&lon=-72.1064&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36657
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA124
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36657/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA124

## Probable cause

THE PREMATURE COMMANDED TOW RELEASE BY THE TOWPLANE PILOT OVER UNSUITABLE TERRAIN.

## Sequence of events

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

- Miscellaneous/other, takeoff - initial climb
  - glider/tow release - premature (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - none suitable (cause)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING CLIMB OUT WITH THE GLIDER IN TOW, THE TOWPLANE LOST ENGINE POWER AND THE PILOT SIGNALED FOR AN EMERGENCY GLIDER RELEASE AT 200 FEET AGL. THE ALTITUDE WAS TOO LOW FOR THE GLIDER TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT OR REACH SUITABLE TERRAIN. THE GLIDER COLLIDED WITH TREES. ENGINE POWER TO THE TOWPLANE INCREASED AFTER THE GLIDER RELEASE. THE TOWPLANE CONTINUED FLIGHT AND RETURNED TO THE AIRPORT AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE REASON FOR THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER COULD NOT BE DETERMINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3836H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3836H-2006-04-25), registration cancelled 2006-04-25, S/N 3738, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G103
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g103-twin-astir) (registry code 1660202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 3836
- Airframe hours: 1364
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: New Eng.Soaring Assoc.,Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 4, 1989, 23 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 925 total, 142 in this make and model, 854 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °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 19900602017969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900602017969A), Jun 2, 1990: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Barre, MA, Substantial damage. Tow plane lost power during glide. Tow glider released 200FT altitude crashed into trees.

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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