Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II N18AG

Summary

On 30 June 1997 at about 00:10 local time, a Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II registered N18AG was involved in an accident near Jacumba, California, United States. 2 people were on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

30 June 1997 at 00:10

Classification

Accident

Location

Jacumba, California, United States

Nearest airport

Jacumba (L78)

Coordinates

32.6303, -116.1802

Aircraft

Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II

Registration

N18AG

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX97LA227

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's abrupt rotation, which resulted in the breaking of the tow rope. A factor was the low altitude when the tow rope broke, precluding a landing on the runway.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The glider was being launched by a vehicle ground tow. About 250 feet agl, the tow row broke at the 'weak link.' The pilot reported that he might have been too aggressive during the rotation. He stated that he felt he was too far down the runway to land straight ahead, so he turned left intending to fly an abbreviated pattern. He stated that he lost altitude more rapidly than he had anticipated and could not complete the turn back to the runway. During the turn the glider descended and the left wing tip dragged through the vegetation. According to the pilot, the glider landed hard while skidding left and the main landing gear was sheared off.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.