Summary
On July 19, 1994, a Burkhart Grob G103 (N38366) was involved in an accident near Tehachapi, CA. The accident resulted in 1 minor injury, with 1 person uninjured out of 2 aboard. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident to be: The pilot's failure to secure the canopy before takeoff, and his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
On July 19, 1994, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Grob G103, N38366, was substantially damaged during landing on runway 27R at the Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California. The commercial pilot was not injured during the demonstration flight, and the passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The flight school's operator reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that the glider was being towed behind a Piper PA-25-235, N7092Z, when the rear portion of the glider's canopy opened up during takeoff. The glider pilot released the tow line and then landed ahead on the remaining runway.
This accident is documented in NTSB report LAX94LA293. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N38366.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to secure the canopy before takeoff, and his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
On July 19, 1994, at 1500 Pacific daylight time, a Grob G103, N38366, was substantially damaged during landing on runway 27R at the Mountain Valley Airport, Tehachapi, California. The commercial pilot was not injured during the demonstration flight, and the passenger received minor injuries. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.
The flight school's operator reported to the National Transportation Safety Board that the glider was being towed behind a Piper PA-25-235, N7092Z, when the rear portion of the glider's canopy opened up during takeoff. The glider pilot released the tow line and then landed ahead on the remaining runway. After touchdown, the glider ground looped and the empennage separated from the fuselage.
The flight school's operator further reported that during the pretakeoff ground check, the rear seated pilot was responsible for closing and locking his portion of the two-piece canopy.
The glider's canopy latching mechanism was subsequently examined by an aircraft mechanic. The latching mechanism was found in working order.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX94LA293