# NTSB SEA05LA164: Burkhart Grob G103 Twin Astir, N153SS, Driggs, ID, August 4, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 4, 2005, 15:15 local (21:15 UTC) - Place: Driggs, ID - Coordinates: 43.733333, -111.083335 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.7333&lon=-111.0833&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62178 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA164 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62178/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA164 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while maneuvering in the traffic pattern for landing. The pilot's failure to maintain a proper altitude was a factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis The glider's tow plane pilot reported that during the pre-tow briefing, the glider pilot stated that he wanted to do three pattern tows and one high tow. The pilot then pulled the glider around to position for the takeoff tow. The tow plane pilot stated that shortly after 1500, he started the takeoff without any problems. The pilot flew a circling turn to the right and went to mid-field and made another right turn crossing the runway, and climbing to 1,200 feet above ground level (agl) for the release. The tow pilot then circled to land on runway 21. The tow pilot stated that as he was taxiing back he noticed the glider, no higher than 75 feet agl, pitch nose down. The tow pilot stated that the glider was too low and just before it hit the ground, it looked like the nose was starting to come up. The glider collided with the ground short of runway 21 in about a 45 degree nose down attitude. Post accident inspection of the wreckage did not disclose evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2005, about 1515 mountain daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G103 Twin Astir glider, N153SS, registered to and operated by the pilot as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, collided with the terrain at the northeast end of the Reed Memorial Airport, Driggs, Idaho. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The glider was substantially damaged and the private pilot, the sole occupant, was fatally injured. The glider's tow plane pilot reported that during the pre-tow briefing, the glider pilot stated that he wanted to do three pattern tows and one high tow. The pilot then pulled the glider around to position for the takeoff tow. The tow plane pilot stated that shortly after 1500, he started the takeoff without any problems. The pilot flew a circling turn to the right and went to mid-field and made another right turn crossing the runway, and climbing to 1,200 feet above ground level (agl) for the release. The tow pilot then circled to land on runway 21. The tow pilot stated that as he was taxiing back he noticed the glider, no higher than 75 feet agl, pitch nose down. The tow pilot stated that the glider was too low and just before it hit the ground, it looked like the nose was starting to come up. The glider collided with the ground short of runway 21 in about a 45 degree nose down attitude. A Federal Aviation Administration Inspector from the Salt Lake City, Utah, Flight Standards District Office responded to the accident site. The inspector stated that the initial ground impact was identified by an impact crater. Following a path to the north northwest, debris fragments were located along the surface to include the tail surfaces and interior items. The main wreckage to include the wings and fuselage was located approximately 195 feet from the initial impact crater. The fuselage came to rest inverted about 600-800 feet from the end of the runway. All flight control surfaces were accounted for. Flight and maintenance records provided to the FAA by a member of the glider club indicated that the pilot had accumulated a total flight time in all aircraft of about 144 hours. The logbook provided indicated flight time starting in the glider involved in the accident was in July 2002. About 24 hours had been accumulated since this time. The pilot held a private pilot certificate in glider operations only. An annual inspection of the glider was accomplished on April 1, 2005. About 16 hours had been accumulated since the inspection. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N153SS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N153SS-2011-05-17), registration cancelled 2011-05-17, S/N 3094, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G103 Twin Astir - Registry model: [Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-flugzeugbau-g103-twin-astir) (registry code 1660202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 3094 - Airframe hours: 587 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James G. Davis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2005, 16 hours before - Departed: Driggs, ID - Destination: U59 - Airport: U59, Reed Memorial, runway 21, 7,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: fatal; private; last flight review October 1, 2003; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 144 total, 23 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: JAC, 18 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 20050804017299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050804017299A), Aug 4, 2005: Grob G103TWNASTIR, Driggs, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Glider made a pattern tow and released at 1200 ft. witnesses stated that the aircraft was low on base leg, 75 to 150 ft, when the pilot initiated a turn… ## Other investigations on N153SS (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI93LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA353), Sep 4, 1993: Burkhart Grob G-103 Twin Astir (N153SS), New Douglas, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: FAILURE OF THE GLIDER TOW ATTACHMENT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BY THE STUDENT, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION.. 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.