# NTSB NYC91LA225: Burkhart Grob G103B, N5448X, Marion, OH, July 17, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 17, 1991, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Marion, OH
- Coordinates: 40.579952, -83.120079 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5800&lon=-83.1201&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37002
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC91LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37002/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA225

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER DECISION TO CHANGE LANDING RUNWAYS WITH INSUFFICIENT ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED WHICH RESULTED IN A DRAGGED WING AND GROUND LOOP.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE GLIDER WAS SET UP ON DOWNWIND FOR RUNWAY 24.  THE PILOT TURNED BASED FOR RUNWAY 24, AND CHANGED HIS MIND DUE TO VARIABLE WINDS.  HE EXTENDED HIS BASE TO LAND ON RUNWAY 30.  THE GLIDER LACKED THE ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED TO REACH THE DESIRED RUNWAY.  THE GLIDER STRUCK THE GROUND IN A RIGHT WING LOW ALTITUDE WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND LOOP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5448X](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5448X), registered now, S/N 3870-K-111 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G103B
- 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: 3870K-111
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas I. Harnish
- Registered owner: Central Ohio Soaring Assoc.
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Airport: MNN, Marion County, runway 3, 3,497 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,526 total, 9 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19910717030569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910717030569A), Jul 17, 1991: Grob G103ATWINII, Marion, OH, Substantial damage. Low and slow in gusty variable wind. Changed runway. Dragged wing. Ground looped. Slid sideways and broke up.

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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