# NTSB WPR14CA063: Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II, N3981C, Bryon, CA, December 8, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: December 7, 2013, 16:30 local (Dec 8, 2013, 00:30 UTC) - Place: Bryon, CA - Coordinates: 37.823612, -121.622222 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8236&lon=-121.6222&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 5, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 88532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR14CA063 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/88532/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88532 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR14CA063 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain adequate wing clearance from a runway sign while taxiing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: sign/marker](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 214 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Taxi-from runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1660203), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Taxi-from runway: 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 The student pilot reported that during landing the glider touched down slightly left of the runway centerline. He engaged the brakes and steered the glider towards the right side of the runway to prepare for a turn. When he approached the taxiway entrance, he released the brakes and started to turn to the left. During the turn the left wing struck a runway sign; the airplane made a sharp left turn, exited the runway surface and came to rest on the grass. During the accident sequence, the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The student pilot reported that during landing the glider touched down slightly left of the runway centerline. He engaged the brakes and steered the glider towards the right side of the runway to prepare for a turn. When he approached the taxiway entrance, he released the brakes and started to turn to the left. During the turn the left wing struck a runway sign; the airplane made a sharp left turn, exited the runway surface and came to rest on the grass. During the accident sequence, the left wing sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airframe that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3981C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3981C), registered now, S/N 3807, built 1983 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BURKHART 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) - Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Glider - Serial number: 3807 - Year built: 1983 - Airframe hours: 6099 - Damage: Substantial damage - Fire: Unknown - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Northern California Soaring Association - Registered owner: Northern California Soaring Association - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 2013 - Departed: C83, Bryon, CA - Destination: C83, Bryon, CA - Airport: C83, Byron Airport, runway 30R, 4,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Student pilot; age 28; injuries: none; student; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 7, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 5 total, 5 in this make and model, 1 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,500 ft overcast - Temperature: 52 °F, dew point 30 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: LVK, 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). - [Incident 20131208025259I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20131208025259I), Dec 8, 2013: Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II, Byron, CA, Minor damage. Pilot took off from Byron Airport (C83) on his first solo flight. Upon landing and rollout the pilot was close to the left edge of runway R30. Anticipating the… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 22, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=88532. 2.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40406719&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.