Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Columbus, Ohio
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
http://registry.faa.gov/N102BK
Location: Marion, OH
Accident Number: CEN17LA305
Date & Time: 08/05/2017, 1350 EDT
Registration: N102BK
Aircraft: BURKHART GROB FLUGZEUGBAU G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Glider tow event
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot of the glider stated that he made a mistake during his before takeoff checks and forgot to latch the canopy. During takeoff and climb, he heard air noise in the cabin and attempted to check the canopy handle while still under tow. He stated that, after climbing a "few hundred feet," the canopy came open. While he was trying to close the canopy, he lost sight of the tow airplane, so he released the tow line and made a turn to the right. A witness reported that the glider's left and right wing spoilers were extended during the flight and were visible from the ground. The glider pilot released from the tow airplane around 150 to 200 ft above ground level (agl) and tried to make a 180° turn back to the runway with the spoilers still extended. The glider's wing clipped a tree and crashed in a bean field.
The examination of the glider at the accident site revealed that the spoilers were found in the open, or deployed, position. With the spoilers deployed, the glider and tow airplane would be unable to climb normally. The canopy attachment pins and the surrounding composite material were torn from the fuselage at impact. The canopy attachment handle and bayonet pins showed proper operation. The damage to the canopy was consistent with it being in the latched position at impact. The pilot stated that the glider had no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to follow the before takeoff checklist, which resulted in an improper takeoff configuration and subsequent uncontrolled descent into terrain during a departure climb.
Findings
Aircraft
Spoilers - Incorrect use/operation (Cause)
Climb rate - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Incorrect action performance - Pilot (Cause)
Factual Information
On August 5, 2017, about 1350 eastern daylight time, a Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G-102 Club Astir IIIB glider, N102BK, collided with a tree and terrain after releasing from the tow airplane at the Marion Municipal Airport (MNN), Marion, Ohio. The pilot received serious injuries, and the glider sustained substantial damage. The glider was owned by the Central Ohio Soaring Association, Inc., and operated by the pilot as a 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions existed near the accident site at the time of the flight, and a flight plan had not been filed. The flight was departing MNN on a local flight.
The pilot stated that he made a mistake during his before takeoff checks and forgot to latch the canopy. He stated that after climbing a "few hundred feet" the canopy came open. While he was trying to close the canopy, he lost sight of the Cessna 150 tow airplane, so he released the tow line and made a turn to the right. He attempted to land in a bean field, but the glider struck a tree and impacted the field.
A witness who observed the glider during the accident flight reported that the glider's left and right-wing spoilers were extended during the flight and were visible from the ground. He stated that the glider and tow airplane were unable to climb normally with the spoilers extended. He reported that the glider released from the tow airplane around 150 to 200 feet above ground level (agl) and tried to make a 180-degree turn back to the runway with the spoilers still extended. The glider's wing clipped a tree and crashed in a bean field.
The tow airplane pilot reported that shortly after takeoff, he felt the tow airplane being "jerked around" by the glider. He saw the glider in a high nose-up position, and then the tow line released about 150 feet agl. The tow airplane continued climbing straight ahead and then returned to MNN and landed. The tow pilot inspected the tow line after landing. The towline and tow ring were undamaged and attached to the tow airplane.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector reported that the examination of the glider at the accident site revealed that the spoilers were found in the open or deployed position. Maple leaves were found in the bottom of the spoiler wells. The right wing exhibited impact damage about mid-span. The flight controls were damaged consistent with impact forces. The canopy attachment pins and the surrounding composite material were torn from the fuselage at impact. The canopy attachment handle and bayonet pins showed proper operation. The damage to the canopy was consistent with it being in the latched position at impact.
In an interview with a FAA inspector, the pilot stated that he heard air noise in the cabin during takeoff and thought his canopy had become unlatched. He attempted to check the canopy handle during takeoff and climb out while still under tow.
In his report to the National Transportation Safety Board, the pilot stated, "We should not have let the need for a rapid departure overlook the need to make sure that the checklists are completed. And most important, fly the airplane." The pilot indicated that the glider had no mechanical malfunctions or failures.
At 1353, the surface weather observation at MNN was wind from 280 degrees at 9 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky clear; temperature 24 degrees C; dew point 12 degrees C; and altimeter 30.06 inches of mercury.
History of Flight
Initial climb
Glider tow event (Defining event)
Maneuvering
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Uncontrolled descent
Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline Transport; Flight Engineer
Age: 77, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land; Single-engine Sea
Seat Occupied: Single
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Glider
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Single-engine; Glider; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 06/12/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 24000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 20 hours (Total, this make and model), 19000 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 6 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Manufacturer: BURKHART GROB FLUGZEUGBAU
Registration: N102BK
Model/Series: G102 CLUB ASTIR IIIB
Aircraft Category: Glider
Year of Manufacture: 1985
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 5622CB
Landing Gear Type: Ski/wheel
Seats: 1
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 02/17/2017, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 992 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 0
Airframe Total Time: 1336.6 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer:
ELT: Not installed
Engine Model/Series:
Registered Owner: CENTRAL OHIO SOARING ASSOC INC
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: MNN, 993 ft msl
Observation Time: 1353 EDT
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Direction from Accident Site: 0°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Temperature/Dew Point: 24°C / 12°C
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility: 10 Miles
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 9 knots, 280°
Visibility (RVR):
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Visibility (RVV):
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Precipitation
Departure Point: Marion, OH (MNN)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Marion, OH (MNN)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 1413 EDT
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: Marion Municipal (MNN)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 993 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 31
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 3498 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Forced Landing
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 Serious
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious
Latitude, Longitude: 40.626111, -83.109444
Before I even read the article, I said to myself, that the guy was 70yo or more. I was right.
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