# NTSB WPR10CA422: Burkhart Grob G-103A, N794G, Minden, NV, August 22, 2010

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 22, 2010, 15:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Minden, NV
- Coordinates: 39.00111, -119.751945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0011&lon=-119.7519&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 77050
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR10CA422
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77050/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77050
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR10CA422

## Probable cause

The pilot’s inadequate flare and bounced landing recovery technique that resulted in a hard landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1660206), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1660206), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092) (defining event); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1660206), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot completed a one-hour local flight and entered the traffic pattern for the destination airport. He decided to maneuver the glider with a higher airspeed because of strong gusty wind and turbulence. With use of the airbrakes, he landed about 300 feet down the runway. The nosewheel touched down first and the glider bounced; then the tailwheel touched down and the glider bounced again. This cycle repeated twice despite the pilot’s attempts to control it with elevator. The pilot was not aware that the glider sustained substantial damage to the empennage until he exited the cockpit.

## Factual narrative

The pilot completed a 1-hour local flight, and entered right traffic on runway 30. He increased his speed because of strong gusty winds and turbulence. He worked the airbrakes and landed about 300 feet down the runway. The nose wheel touched down first, and the glider bounced; then the tail wheel touched down and the glider bounced. This cycle repeated twice despite the pilot’s attempts to control it with elevator. The rollout was normal. The pilot was not aware that the glider sustained substantial damage to the empennage until he exited the cockpit.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N794G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N794G), registered now, S/N 34007-K-240 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Burkhart Grob G-103A
- Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103a-twin-ii-acro) (registry code 1660206) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Glider
- Serial number: 34007-K-240
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Soar Minden, Inc.
- Registered owner: Soar Minden, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: MEV, Minden, NV
- Destination: MEV, Minden, NV
- Airport: MEV, Minden-Tahoe, runway 30, 5,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 75; injuries: none; private; last flight review July 16, 2010; seat: center; flight hours: 439 total, 2 in this make and model, 11 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 6 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.10 inHg
- Observed at: KRNO

## 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 20100822042189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100822042189A), Aug 22, 2010: Burkhart Gr G-103A TWIN, Minden, NV, Substantial damage. Glider. The pilot stated the following: that he flew the pattern for runway 30. That he felt he was "a little bit high." That he reduced altitude using the…

## Other investigations on N794G (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 LAX07CA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX07CA066), Dec 27, 2006: Burkhart Grob G-103A (N794G), Minden, NV, substantial damage. Probable cause: The flight's encounter with a low ceiling while on approach that necessatiated an off-airport precautionary landing on unsuitable terrain. Obstructions were a factor.

## Docket (1 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 29, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77050. 447 KB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 447 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40336175&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF

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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