Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR N40880

Summary

On 24 April 2016 at about 21:30 local time, a Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR registered N40880, operated by Tucson Soaring Club Inc, was involved in an accident near Marana, Arizona, 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

24 April 2016 at 21:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Marana, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

El Tiro (AZ67)

Coordinates

32.2650, -111.1236

Aircraft

Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR

Registration

N40880

Category

Glider

Year built

1983

Operator

Tucson Soaring Club Inc

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Tucson → Marana

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA16CA205

1 person had minor injuries.

The glider's loss of lift as a result of unfavorable wind conditions for glider operations, consequently resulting in a collision with trees.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

According to the pilot, while maneuvering the glider about 2,900 feet above ground level, the pilot determined that the wind conditions were not conducive to sustain flight and turned toward the runway in order to establish an approach. He recalled that while maneuvering toward the runway, he encountered downdrafts and began to lose altitude rapidly. He reported that he issued a mayday call about ¾ of a statute mile from the runway, established a nose up attitude to decrease the airspeed, and the glider impacted the trees. The glider sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage.   The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the glider prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operation.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.