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NTSB Report

September 4, 1993 · Burkhart Grob G-103 TWIN Astir G-103 TWIN · N153SS

New Douglas, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 4, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
New Douglas, IL
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob G-103 TWIN Astir G-103 TWIN
Tail Number
N153SS
Operator
Silvercreek Aviation
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA353

THE DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL GLIDER FLIGHT WAS BEING WINCH LAUNCHED. THE INSTRUCTOR REPORTED THERE WAS AN APPARENT CABLE BREAK, WHEN THE GLIDER WAS APPROXIMATELY 20 FEET AGL. THE STUDENT PILOT INITIALLY LOWERED THE NOSE, THEN RETURNED TO A CLIMB ATTITUDE. THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL OF THE GLIDER, AND INITIATED A LANDING. THE LANDING WAS HARD AND THE GLIDER SUSTAINED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE DOUBLE RING ON THE GLIDER TOW ATTACHMENT POINT WAS FOUND SEPARATED.

NTSB Probable Cause

FAILURE OF THE GLIDER TOW ATTACHMENT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE IMPROPER EMERGENCY PROCEDURE BY THE STUDENT, AND THE FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION..

Full Narrative

On September 4, 1993, at 1130 central daylight time, a Grob G-103, N153SS, sustained substantial damage in a hard landing following a cable break during a winch launch at the Silvercreek Gliderport, New Douglas, Illinois. Neither the certified flight instructor, nor the student pilot were injured. No flight plan was filed for the local instructional flight, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The instructor reported the student was at the controls for the launch. He stated there was an apparent "cable break" about 20 feet AGL. Initially, the student lowered the nose, then tried to re-establish the climb angle. The instructor stated he took the controls at this point and moved the stick forward. He reported the glider struck the ground with the nose down. The instructor stated the double ring on the glider attachment point separated from the glider.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:30 CDT
Nearest AirportSilvercreek Gliderport (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width200 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurkhart Grob G-103 TWIN Astir G-103 TWIN
Tail NumberN153SS
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorSilvercreek Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 51 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point64 F
Altimeter0
Observation Time16:30
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data