Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
failure of the student pilot to maintain proper runway alignment and wing tip clearance from high vegetation beside the runway during landing, and the flight instructor's inadequate supervision of the flight. High vegetation on the runway shoulder was a related factor.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
On May 2, 1997, at 1410 hours mountain standard time, a Grob 103A glider, N931BG, collided with vegetation after the pilot under training landed left of the runway 23C centerline at the Pleasant Valley Airport, Peoria, Arizona. The glider was substantially damaged. The certified flight instructor and certificated commercial pilot student were not injured. The glider was being operated as an instructional flight by Baboquivari Soaring School, d.b.a. Turf Soaring School, Peoria. The local flight originated from the Pleasant Valley Airport at 1320. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time.
According to the flight instructor, the student pilot landed the glider on the left side of the runway. The left wing tip dragged in high vegetation and the glider ground looped to the left. The instructor also stated he was overconfident in the pilot's ability and did not anticipate the pilot's actions.
The runway was 4,000 feet long and 75 feet wide. The wing span of the glider is about 57 feet (17.5 meters) wide.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# LAX97LA174