# NTSB NYC99LA017: Burkhart Grob G103-TWINA, N4446T, Saratoga Spring, NY, October 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 24, 1998, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Saratoga Spring, NY - Coordinates: 43.05994, -73.769332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0599&lon=-73.7693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45199 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45199/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA017 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the glider while landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The purpose of the flight was to conduct a local area glider flight. The glider departed the airport, and released from the tow-plane at 3,000 feet MSL. The pilot looked for thermals, but found none. He remained within 2 miles of the airport then decided to abort the flight due to insufficient lift. The pilot made a left downwind entry at 800 feet above the ground, turned base, then final. While on final, the pilot had his hands full just to keep the glider lined-up with the runway because of turbulence. The glider touched down at the intended touchdown point, but bounced back into the air. After the first bounce, the pilot was focusing on maintaining runway alignment that the glider began to oscillate. After contacting the runway a total of four times, the pilot was able to regain control of the glider and complete the landing. An after landing inspection revealed substantial damage to the tail wheel, and tail section of the glider. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 1998, at 1600 eastern standard time, a Grob G103-Twina, N4446T, was substantially damage during landing at Saratoga County Airport (5B2), Saratoga Springs, New York. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that the purpose of the flight was to conduct a local area glider flight. He estimated the winds at the time of the accident were 270 degrees magnetic at 10 to 15 knots, and that the sky was clear. The pilot departed 5B2 about 1535 from Runway 23, and released from the tow-plane at 3,000 feet MSL. The pilot stated he looked for thermals, but found none, and that he remained within 2 miles of the airport until about 1550, when he decided to abort the flight due to insufficient lift. After deciding to abort the flight, he positioned himself on a left downwind at 800 feet above the ground for Runway 23. From downwind, he turned base, and then final. According to the pilot, it was the last flight of the day, so he planned to land long. It was club policy for the pilots to land long on the last flight of the day, because the glider was tied down at the departure end of Runway 23. The pilot stated that while on final, he had his hands full just to keep the glider lined-up with the runway, and that the ride was very "bouncy." According to the pilot, he carried approximately 10 knots of extra airspeed while on final because of the turbulence. He did not recall his exacted speed, but estimated it to be about 70 knots. The pilot added that the glider touched down at the intended touchdown point, but bounced back into the air. He stated that after the first bounce, he was focusing on maintaining runway alignment that the glider started to oscillate from "Pilot Induced Oscillation." After contacting the runway a total of four times, the pilot was able to regain control of the glider and complete the landing. The pilot estimated that from initial runway contact until he regained control, was approximately 500 feet. The pilot inspected the glider, and found the tail wheel crushed into the tail of the glider. He also observed several cracks in the tail that penetrated the gel-coat and underlying fiber glass. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4446T](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4446T), registered now, S/N 3824, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G103-TWINA - Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103-twin-ii) (registry code 1660203) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 3824 - Airframe hours: 2245 - Engines: unknown - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Saratoga Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 29, 1998, 97 hours before - Departed: 5B2 - Airport: 5B2, Saratoga County, runway 23, 4,700 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; private; medical: unknown, unknown; seat: front; flight hours: 128 total, 116 in this make and model, 67 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: ALB, 21 nm away ## 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 19981024044999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19981024044999A), Oct 24, 1998: Grob G103A, Saratoga Spring, NY, Substantial damage. (.4) The purpose of the flight was to conduct a local area glider flight. The glider departed the airport, and released from the tow-plane at 3,000 feet MSL.… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.