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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 13, 2000 · Burkhart Grob G103 · N3872G

Wellington, OH

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 13, 2000
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Wellington, OH
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob G103
Tail Number
N3872G
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC00LA135

The pilot was in a glider being towed by an airplane. After takeoff, about 50 feet above the ground, the rear canopy of the glider 'banged' open. The pilot decided to abort the climb in an attempt to prevent canopy damage. He released from tow, and tried to land on the remaining runway. The pilot added that during the attempt, he lost control of the glider, and impacted terrain.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. A factor was the pilot's improper in-flight decision to abort the initial climb due to an open canopy.

Full Narrative

On May 13, 2000, about 1455 Eastern Daylight Time, a Grob G103 (glider), N3872G, was substantially damaged during an aborted climb-out from Botsford Airport (67D), Wellington, Ohio. The certificated private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The glider was departing Runway 18, a 2,700 foot long and 300 foot wide grass runway. The pilot stated that the glider was being towed by an airplane. About 50 feet above the ground, the rear canopy "banged" opened, and the pilot decided to abort the climb in an attempt to prevent canopy damage. He released from tow, and tried to land on the remaining runway. During the attempt, he lost control of the glider, it "came down flat," and impacted terrain. The glider came to rest off the right side of the runway, abeam the departure end. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. At 1453, the reported winds at an airport approximately 10 miles from the accident site, were from 270 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 24 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:55 EDT
Nearest AirportBotsford Airfield (0nm)
Runway18
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width300 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurkhart Grob G103
Tail NumberN3872G
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine TypeUnknown
Engine DetailsUnknown
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 74 · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 16 kt, gusting 24 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point41 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data