# NTSB NYC96LA011: Burkhart Grob G-102CS, Lake Placid, NY, October 15, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1995, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Lake Placid, NY
- Coordinates: 44.280208, -73.980789 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.2802&lon=-73.9808&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 7, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39113
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC96LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39113/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC96LA011

## Probable cause

the pilot's inadequate evaluation of the weather.  Contributing factors were the high winds and downdrafts.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, maneuvering
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - weather evaluation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

The glider pilot released from the tow plane at 4,400 ft msl, and, using thermals, climbed to 5,200 feet.  With 50-knot winds aloft, the pilot maneuvered to find a mountain wave on the downwind side of a mountain ridge.  He first encountered a downdraft in excess of 1,000 feet per minute, and then he encountered a horizontal rotor.  He was unable to reach rising air, and continued in a descent into the trees.  The glider came to rest inverted, with the empennage separated from the fuselage.

## Factual narrative

On October 15, 1995, about 1230 eastern daylight time, an Grob G-102CS glider, Canadian Registry CGUOX, was substantially damaged when it struck trees near Lake Placid, New York.  The Canadian certificated, private pilot was not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight, which departed Lake Placid at 1200, and was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The FAA reported that the pilot used an aero tow to become  airborne.  In the NTSB Accident Report, the pilot stated:

After release from the tow plane at 4400 ft, MSL N.W.      of Slide Mountain, I entered a strong updraft      indicating 8 KTS rate of climb and reached a height of      5200 ft.  I used this updraft...facing a 50 Kn...wind,      all in search of a standing mountain wave.  I was      caught in a severe downdraft...I decided to get closer      to the mountain ridge in the area of the first updraft.       Experiencing continuous and severe height loss together      with severe turbulence I realized that I had entered a      violent horizontal axis atmospheric rotor that would      drive the glider to the ground.  My only choice was to      prepare for a landing in the trees trying to stall at      the level of the branches....

The FAA reported that when the glider came to rest, the empennage had separated from the fuselage.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGUOX (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-102CS
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 1352
- Airframe hours: 2456
- Engines: unknown
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Montreal Soaring Council
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1995, 78 hours before
- Departed: LKP

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,800 total, 50 in this make and model, 3,650 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

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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