CircumFlightN46009 Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II accident
NTSB NYC08CA025 · 2007-11-04 · Windham, NY · near 1I5
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
Both pilots were alternating flying duties in a Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II glider. They had been soaring along a ridge for approximately 1 hour in non-turbulent wind. The rear seat pilot was flying on the upwind side of the ridge, about 500 feet above the summit, when a gust of wind suddenly forced the glider to the downwind side of the ridge, about 25 feet below the summit. The glider then impacted trees, sustained substantial damage, and both pilots were seriously injured. The reported wind at an airport about 25 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was 270 degrees at 6 knots. Examination of the glider did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilots report any.
Full narrative
Both pilots were alternating flying duties in a Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II glider. They had been soaring along a ridge for approximately 1 hour in non-turbulent wind. The rear seat pilot was flying on the upwind side of the ridge, about 500 feet above the summit, when a gust of wind suddenly forced the glider to the downwind side of the ridge, about 25 feet below the summit. The glider then impacted trees, sustained substantial damage, and both pilots were seriously injured. The reported wind at an airport about 25 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was 270 degrees at 6 knots. Examination of the glider by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilots report any.
Probable cause
An inadvertent encounter with a wind gust while maneuvering. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- Serious
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- NONE
- Ceiling (ft)
- 0
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 270
- Wind speed (kt)
- 6
- Temperature (F)
- 54
- Nearest airport
- Freehold Airport
- Distance from field
- 10.0
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N46009 | Burkhart Grob | G 103 Twin II | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 250 | Cruise |
| 2 | 220 | Cruise |
Findings
| Finding | |
|---|---|
| 20000 | |
| 24036 | cause |
| 24036 | cause |
| 20200 |