# NTSB WPR13CA418: Grob G 103 Twin II, N54554, Morgan, UT, September 21, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 21, 2013, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Morgan, UT - Coordinates: 41.010715, -111.670135 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.0107&lon=-111.6701&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA-FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 88104 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA418 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88104/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88104 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA418 ## Probable cause An incorrect descent rate while on final approach as a result of the flight instructor's delayed remedial action, which lead to an off-field landing and impact with terrain. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent rate](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 242 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062037/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Landing area undershoot](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370) (defining event); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 201 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/370/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis When the student pilot realized his glider was high on final approach, he lowered the nose and deployed the spoilers, which increased the rate of descent and airspeed in excess of what was required. After the flight instructor had the student close the spoilers, the glider encountered turbulence and a sink rate that put them at a low approach altitude, about 150 feet above ground level. The flight instructor then took control and performed an off-airport landing. During the touchdown the glider impacted a large shrub bush with its right wing, slid sideways through a second bush, and then completed a 270-degree turn before coming to rest upright. The impact with the shrub resulted in substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative When the student pilot realized his altitude was high on final approach he lowered the nose and deployed the spoilers, which increased the rate of descent and airspeed in excess of what was required. After the flight instructor had the student close the spoilers, the glider encountered turbulence and a sink rate that put them at a low approach altitude, about 150 feet above ground level. The flight instructor then took control and performed an off-airport landing. During the touchdown the glider impacted a large shrub bush with its right wing, slid sideways through a second bush, and then completed a 270-degree turn before coming to rest upright. The impact with the shrub resulted in substantial damage to the leading edge of the right wing. The flight instructor reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54554](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54554-2016-02-03), registration cancelled 2016-02-03, S/N 3873-K-114 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GROB G 103 TWIN II - Registry model: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II](https://openairdocs.org/model/burkhart-grob-g-103-twin-ii) (registry code 1660203) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 3873-K-114 - Airframe hours: 2085 - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Daniel R Thirkill - Registered owner: Utah Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 3, 2013 - Departed: 42U, Morgan, UT - Destination: 42U, Morgan, UT - Airport: 42U, Morgan County Airport, runway 21, 3,904 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 57; injuries: none; commercial; instrument ratings: helicopter; last flight review July 14, 2013; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 138 in this make and model - Student pilot; age 33; injuries: none; student; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 14 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 12 knots, gusting 15 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F - Altimeter: 29.79 inHg - Observed at: OGD, 12 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 20130921019659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130921019659A), Sep 21, 2013: Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, Morgan, UT, Substantial damage. Student pilot turned base to final but put spoilers in too FAR, aircraft went into a turbulent layer of wind coming off the hills, lost airspeed, the CFI… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88104. 3.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40402188&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. --- 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.