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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 23, 1998 · Burkhart Grob 103 · N427BG

Briggs, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 23, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Briggs, TX
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob 103
Tail Number
N427BG
Operator
Fault Line Flyers
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW98LA244

The glider pilot had released the glider from the tow plane prematurely at 1,500 feet MSL due to conflicting traffic. After 'thermalling with another glider for a while, he could not find much lift,' so he headed back to the airport to land. The pilot added that he was too low when he entered the downwind leg for runway 16; however, he estimated that he would be able to reach the approach end of the runway. In a written statement, he stated that he became distracted by a yellow glider that he thought was blocking the landing runway. The pilot reported that while maneuvering to land at the threshold for the 4,500-foot turf runway, he turned the aircraft onto the base leg prematurely; consequently the left wing impacted the ground nearly perpendicular to the runway near the threshold. Subsequently, the glider impacted the ground in a nose low attitude, bounced back in the air and impacted the ground in a tail low attitude, separating the tail section.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's misjudgment of the distance and altitude. Factors were the lack of thermal lift and his diverted attention while on downwind.

Full Narrative

On May 23, 1998, at 1518 central daylight time, a Grob 103 glider, N427BG, was substantially damaged when it undershot the runway while landing near Briggs, Texas. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured. The glider was owned and operated by Fault Line Flyers, Inc., of Round Rock, Texas, under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed throughout the area for the local flight for which a flight plan was not filed. The flight originated from the Fault Line Flyers Gliderport (TX23) near Briggs, Texas, approximately 10 minutes prior to the accident. According to the pilot, he released the glider from the tow plane prematurely at 1,500 feet MSL due to conflicting traffic. After "thermalling with another glider for a while, he could not find much lift," so he headed back to the airport to land. The pilot added that he was too low when he entered the downwind leg for runway 16; however, he estimated that he would be able to reach the approach end of the runway. In a written statement submitted by the pilot, he stated that he became distracted by a yellow glider that he thought was blocking the runway. The pilot reported that while maneuvering to land at the threshold for the 4,500 foot turf runway, he turned the aircraft on to the base leg prematurely; consequently, the left wing impacted the ground nearly perpendicular to the runway near the threshold. Subsequently, the glider impacted the ground in a nose low attitude, bounced back in the air and impacted the ground in a tail low attitude, separating the tail section from the airframe. Examination of the aircraft by the FAA inspector confirmed that the left wing and the tail section of the 1982 model glider sustained structural damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:18 CDT
Nearest AirportFault Line Flyers (0nm)
Runway16
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width250 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurkhart Grob 103
Tail NumberN427BG
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorFault Line Flyers
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 30 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 15 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data