No fatalities

17 Sep 2009: BURKHART GROB G-103A TWI — SEMINOLE FLYING & SOARING INC — Clermont, FL

Clermont, FL, United States

On 17 Sep 2009, a BURKHART GROB G-103A TWI operated by SEMINOLE FLYING & SOARING INC was involved in an aviation accident near Clermont, FL. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The flight instructor's delayed remedial action resulting in an off-airfield landing and ground loop. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 14 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A glider with a flight instructor and student attempted a no-airbrake approach. After the student's aggressive inputs left the aircraft too slow and low, the instructor took over for an off-field landing. The right wing hit tall grass, causing a ground loop and substantial rudder/empennage damage.

Incident Overview

During an instructional flight, a glider was on approach with a certificated flight instructor and a student pilot. The student was practicing a no-airbrake landing, a technique that requires precise energy management. On approach, the student employed a forward slip to correct altitude. However, the instructor reported that the student's aggressive control inputs caused the aircraft to become too slow and too low to reach the intended airfield.

Instructor Intervention

Recognizing the unsafe situation, the flight instructor took over control of the glider. The instructor decided to conduct an off-field landing due to the inability to reach the airfield. During the landing attempt, the glider's right wing contacted tall grass.

Outcome and Damage

The impact with the tall grass caused the glider to ground loop to the right. The ground loop resulted in substantial damage to the rudder and empennage structures. Neither the flight instructor nor the student reported any mechanical failures or malfunctions with the glider before or during the event.

Additional Information

The glider was operated under instructional purposes. The source did not specify the glider's registration, make, model, or the precise location and date of the incident.

Contributing factors

Causes

Instructor/check pilotIncorrect use/operation

Other contributing factors

Aircraft control