Pilot Debrief

Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO near Alamogordo, NM — 2008-02-09

Final reportDEN08CA056
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Date
2008-02-09
Location
Alamogordo, NM, USA
Airport
ALM
Aircraft
Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO
Registration
N223WP
Category
Glider
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0

Probable cause

The unsuitable terrain for landing. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's encounter with turbulence and the loss of visual contact with the tow plane.

NTSB narrative

The glider encountered turbulence at approximately 200 feet above ground level. The glider gained altitude such that the pilot lost sight of the tow plane. The pilot decided to release the glider and attempt a right turn back to the airport to land. He stated, "the altitude was too low to complete the turn, so I leveled the wings and landed the glider off-field." Upon landing, the left wing contacted the terrain and the glider ground looped, resulting in substantial damage to the fuselage and horizontal stabilizer.

NTSB coding

View NTSB final report

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