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NTSB Report
May 20, 1994 · Burkhart Grob BG 103 · N140BG
Ionia, MI
Overview
Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 20, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Ionia, MI
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob BG 103
Tail Number
N140BG
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI94LA165
THE SIGHTSEEING GLIDER FLIGHT WAS BEING TOW LAUNCHED BY A PIPER CUB. AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 100 FEET AGL, THE TOW PLANE HAD A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE PILOT OF THE TOW PLANE DISCONNECTED THE GLIDER AND MADE A SUCCESSFUL FORCED LANDING IN A WHEAT FIELD. THE GLIDER PILOT ATTEMPTED TO LAND IN THE SAME FIELD. THE GLIDER TOUCHED DOWN IN A NOSE LOW ATTITUDE, BOUNCED BACK INTO THE AIR. WHEN IT TOUCHED DOWN THE SECOND TIME THE TAIL HIT BEFORE THE LANDING GEAR.
NTSB Probable Cause
a hard landing as a result of the early disconnect of the glider launch/tow equipment.
Full Narrative
On May 20, 1994, about 1257 eastern daylight time, a Burkhart Grob BG 103, N140BG, sustained substantial damage in an off-airport landing near Ionia, Michigan. During the takeoff sequence, the tow airplane lost engine power, and the tow plane pilot disconnected the glider. Both the airplane and the glider landed in a field near the airport. The tow airplane was not damaged. The sightseeing glider flight originated at the Ionia County Airport. Neither the commercial pilot nor the passenger were injured. The pilot of the glider stated he landed in a nose-down attitude, the glider bounced back into the air approximately 10-15 feet, and touched down a second time striking the tail before the landing gear touched the ground.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:57 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftBurkhart Grob BG 103
Tail NumberN140BG
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 23 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 6 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC