Burkhart Grob G102 STD ASTIR III N123KG

Summary

On 16 June 2007 at about 23:00 local time, a Burkhart Grob G102 STD ASTIR III registered N123KG, operated by Christopher Aniol, was involved in an accident near Wickenburg, Arizona, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

16 June 2007 at 23:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Wickenburg, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Camp Date Creek Airstrip (NONE)

Coordinates

33.8999, -112.8998

Aircraft

Burkhart Grob G102 STD ASTIR III

Registration

N123KG

Category

Glider

Operator

Christopher Aniol

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Aguila → Camp Date Creek

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

SEA07CA175

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in an inflight collision with a cactus tree while landing. The loss of thermal lift, tailwind, gusts, and tree were contributing factors to the accident.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The glider pilot was conducting a cross-country flight. Approximately 4 hours into the flight, the pilot experienced a loss of thermal lift. He reversed course and attempted to land on an uncharted airstrip. During the forced landing, wind gusts and a tailwind were present. On final approach, "a strong gust/windshear" moved the glider to the right side of the runway. The right wing impacted a cactus tree and sustained substantial damage. The pilot said that there were no mechanical malfunctions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.