Grob G103 N5462N

Summary

On 19 June 2009 at about 17:00 local time, a Grob G103 registered N5462N was involved in an accident near Wellington, Colorado, United States. 2 people were 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

19 June 2009 at 17:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Wellington, Colorado, United States

Nearest airport

Owl Canyon Gliderport (4CO2)

Coordinates

40.7014, -105.0033

Aircraft

Grob G103

Registration

N5462N

Category

Glider

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Other Work Use

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Wellington → Wellington

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN09CA368

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the glider during takeoff.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the initial takeoff roll was normal, but that after a premature takeoff due to wind gusts and thermals the glider controls became ineffective. The pilot attempted to pull the tow line release knob and reported that the tow line “back-released,” resulting in the glider entering a stall. During the impact with terrain, the glider's empennage separated partially, just aft of the fuselage. Examination of the tow line release mechanism and glider systems revealed no mechanical anomalies.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.