# NTSB NYC92LA108: Burkhart Grob G-109B, N693RF, Woodbine, MD, June 10, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 10, 1992, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Woodbine, MD
- Coordinates: 39.330883, -77.060043 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3309&lon=-77.0600&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA108

## Probable cause

THE STUDENT PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE GLIDER DURING TAKEOFF, WHICH RESULTED IN A GROUND LOOP.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE STUDENT'S LACK OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE, THE INSTRUCTOR'S LACK OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL GLIDER, AND THE INSTRUCTOR'S LACK OF EXPERIENCE AS AN INSTRUCTOR IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - lack of total experience, dual student (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

THE STUDENT PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE MOTORIZED GLIDER DURING TAKEOFF.  HE STATED THAT, 'BEFORE THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT COULD REGAIN CONTOL, THE RIGHT WING HIT HIGH GRASS WHICH CAUSED THE GLIDER TO GROUND LOOP.'  THE STUDENT PILOT HAD 13 HOURS OF TOTAL FLIGHT EXPERIENCE.  THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT HAD 10 HOURS OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL GLIDER, WITH 1 HOUR AS AN INSTRUCTOR IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N693RF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-109B
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 6326
- Airframe hours: 561
- Engines: GROB B2500E 90 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Aviation Consumer Services
- Registered owner: Aviation Consumer Services
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1991, 37 hours before
- Departed: MD78
- Airport: MD78, Woodbine Gliderport, runway 3, 2,000 ×  ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 10,300 total, 10 in this make and model, 10,250 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19920610020149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920610020149A), Jun 10, 1992: Grob G109B, Woodbine, MD, Substantial damage. Student lost directional control on takeoff. Wing caught tall grass on runway edge. Ground looped.

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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