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NTSB Report

August 28, 1999 · Burkhart Grob 103C · N103MS

San Antonio, TX

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 28, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
San Antonio, TX
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob 103C
Tail Number
N103MS
Operator
Alamo Aerodyne
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
FTW99LA238

The wing of the glider struck a tree when the solo student pilot was correcting the flight path to align the glider with the runway centerline during the final approach. The density altitude was calculated at 4,215 feet. The student pilot had 15.2 hours of total flight time in gliders. He was endorsed for solo flight and had 2.4 hours of solo flight time in the glider. The operator reported that the accident could have been prevented by 'maintain[ing] adequate clearance over obstacles.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain proper runway alignment of the glider resulting in failure to maintain obstacle clearance. A factor was the high density altitude.

Full Narrative

On August 28, 1999, at 1300 central daylight time, a Grob 103C glider, N103MS, struck a tree during the final approach to runway 17 at the Boerne Stage Field Airport near San Antonio, Texas. The glider was owned and operated by Alamo Aerodyne Corporation, San Antonio, Texas, under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91. The solo student pilot received serious injuries and the glider sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local solo instructional flight and a flight plan was not filed. The flight departed the Boerne Stage Field Airport at 1200. Witnesses and local authorities reported that the student pilot, while turning final approach, over shot the runway. The pilot was correcting the flight path toward the runway when the right wing struck a tree approximately 5 1/2 inches in diameter. The glider pivoted around the tree and stuck the ground in a nose down attitude. The glider came to rest approximately 300 feet short of the runway. The FAA inspector and the glider owner examined the glider and found that the inboard 18 to 24 inches of the right wing was damaged and the forward cabin was crushed. Approximately 4 1/2 feet of the outboard right wing was found separated from the glider. The student pilot had 15.2 hours of total flight time in gliders. The student was endorsed for solo flight and had 2.4 hours of solo flight time in the glider. On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the operator reported that the accident could have been prevented by "maintain[ing] adequate clearance over obstacles." The National Weather Service observation for San Antonio, Texas, (located 13 nautical miles west of the accident site), at 1255 was 96 degrees Fahrenheit with an altimeter setting of 29.90 inches. The NTSB investigator-in-charge calculated the density altitude at 4,215 feet.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:00 CDT
Nearest AirportBoerne Stage Field (0nm)
Runway17
Runway Length3400 ft
Runway Width40 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurkhart Grob 103C
Tail NumberN103MS
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
OperatorAlamo Aerodyne
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 56 · Unknown

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 10 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data