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NTSB Report

May 5, 2002 · Burkhart Grob G103 · N5364G

Fairfield, PA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 2002
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fairfield, PA
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob G103
Tail Number
N5364G
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
IAD02LA048

The pilot completed a left traffic pattern to land on runway 33L, one of two parallel grass runways. He overshot the runway, and decided to land on runway 33R. He subsequently left the spoilers deployed for too long, and descended faster than expected. He attempted to align the glider with the runway, but was unable to level the wings prior to the left wing tip striking the ground. When asked about the performance of the glider, the pilot stated, "The glider performed fine. It was responding as designed. Unfortunately, the inputs were not correct."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to attain proper runway alignment. A factor in the accident was the pilot's delay in retracting the spoilers.

Full Narrative

On May 5, 2002, at 1210 eastern daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G103, N5364G, was substantially damaged during a collision with terrain while landing at the Mid-Atlantic Soaring Center (W73), Fairfield, Pennsylvania. 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 pilot stated that he was making an approach to runway 33L, one of two parallel grass runways, during a left-to-right crosswind. As he turned from the base leg onto the final approach course, he realized that he overshot the intended runway, and decided to land on runway 33R. The pilot further stated that during his attempt to align the glider with runway 33R, he left the spoilers deployed for too long, and descended faster than expected. The glider approached the touch-down point in a left-wing-low attitude, and the pilot was unable to level the wings before the left wing tip struck the ground. The glider rotated to the left, and the side load broke the tail boom. The pilot flew four glider flights on the week before the accident, one earlier on the day of the accident. Two of the flights were in the Burkhart Grob G103. Prior to those two flights, he hadn't flown a G103 for several years. When asked about the performance and handling of the glider, the pilot stated: "The glider performed fine. It was responding as designed. Unfortunately, the inputs were not correct." The pilot held a private pilot certificate with a glider rating. He reported 440 glider flights, for a total of 214 hours of flight experience. His most recent biennial flight review was April 7, 2002. The weather reported at Hagerstown, Maryland, 18 miles west of the accident site, included clear skies with variable winds at 3 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:10 EDT
Nearest AirportMid-Atlantic Soaring Center (0nm)
Runway33R
Runway Length2700 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBurkhart Grob G103
Tail NumberN5364G
Aircraft CategoryGli
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engine DetailsAero Engines
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 62 · None · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55 / 45 C
Altimeter30.32 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data