Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II N54553
22 March 1997 · Lancaster, South Carolina, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 22 March 1997 at about 19:30 local time, a Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II registered N54553, operated by Mark C. Baur, was involved in an accident near Lancaster, South Carolina, 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.
The record
- Date
- at 19:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Lancaster, South Carolina, United States
- Nearest airport
- Bermuda High Gliderport (SC79)
- Coordinates
- 34.7207, -80.7704
- Aircraft
- Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II
- Registration
- N54553
- Category
- Glider
- Operator
- Mark C. Baur
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL97LA052
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
Probable cause
the pilot's improper use of the spoilers, while approaching to land, which allowed the glider to get low on final approach and strike trees. The pilot's lack of recent flying experience and lack of experience in the make and model of glider were related factors.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
After a normal flight, the pilot maneuvered the glider for landing at a gliderport. According to him, the pattern entry was normal, but his turn onto final approach was late, which made the glider low and slow to the 4,000 foot long runway. The pilot stated he 'landed' in 50 foot tall trees, 200 feet short of the runway. Witnesses indicated the glider's spoilers were extended, while on final approach. Damage to the glider also indicated that the spoilers were not retracted at the time of collision with the trees. The pilot did not recall the spoiler's position. He had flown three launches on the previous day with an instructor, but he had not flown during the winter, prior to that. Also, he had only about 3 hours of flight time in this make and model of glider.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Burkhart Grob G-103 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jun 1997 | Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II | Jacumba, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 24 May 1998 | Burkhart Grob G-103 | Cordele, Georgia, United States | Panos Kanes | No injuries | - |
| 23 Aug 1999 | Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II | Llano, California, United States | Great Western Soaring School | No injuries | - |
| 11 Dec 1994 | Burkhart Grob G-103 | Tehachapi, California, United States | Skylark North | No injuries | - |
| 5 Jun 1994 | Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II | Wellington, Colorado, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 12 Jul 2001 | Burkhart Grob G 103 TWIN II | Ionia, Michigan, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Jul 1997 | Hughes 269C | Johnston, South Carolina, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Apr 1997 | Piper PA-28-160 | Pickens, South Carolina, United States | Chester D. Maynard | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Aug 1997 | Cessna 172P | Rockhill, South Carolina, United States | Scott S. Fisher | Minor injuries | - |
| 24 Aug 1997 | Cessna 414A | Anderson, South Carolina, United States | Paul B. Dubinsky | Minor injuries | - |
| 18 May 1997 | Cessna Wren 182G-460 | Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Sep 1997 | Piper PA-28-151 | Bennettsville, South Carolina, United States | Richard Sanderson | No injuries | - |