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NTSB Report

June 30, 1997 · Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II G-103-TWIN · N18AG

Jacumba, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 30, 1997
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Jacumba, CA
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II G-103-TWIN
Tail Number
N18AG
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX97LA227

The glider was being launched by a vehicle ground tow. About 250 feet agl, the tow row broke at the 'weak link.' The pilot reported that he might have been too aggressive during the rotation. He stated that he felt he was too far down the runway to land straight ahead, so he turned left intending to fly an abbreviated pattern. He stated that he lost altitude more rapidly than he had anticipated and could not complete the turn back to the runway. During the turn the glider descended and the left wing tip dragged through the vegetation. According to the pilot, the glider landed hard while skidding left and the main landing gear was sheared off.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's abrupt rotation, which resulted in the breaking of the tow rope. A factor was the low altitude when the tow rope broke, precluding a landing on the runway.

Full Narrative

On June 29, 1997, at 1710 hours Pacific daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G-103-Twin II glider, N18AG, collided with terrain after aborting the takeoff climb when the tow rope broke at the Jacumba, California, airport. The glider was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. The passenger was not injured. The pilot was operating the glider as a personal flight when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported that the glider was being launched by a vehicle ground tow. He stated that about 250 feet agl, the tow row broke at the "weak link." He reported that he might have been too aggressive during the rotation. The pilot reported that he felt he was too far down the runway to land straight ahead, so he turned left, intending to fly an abbreviated pattern. He lost altitude more rapidly than he had anticipated and could not complete the turn back to the runway. During the turn the glider descended and the left wing tip dragged through vegetation. According to the pilot, the glider landed hard while skidding left and the main landing gear was sheared off.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:10 PDT
Nearest AirportJACUMBA (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length2510 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurkhart Grob G-103-TWIN II G-103-TWIN
Tail NumberN18AG
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 15 kt, gusting 20 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point36 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time23:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data