Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR N1202Z

Summary

On 25 January 2024 at about 19:15 local time, a Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR registered N1202Z was involved in an accident near Zephyrhills, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

25 January 2024 at 19:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Zephyrhills, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Zephyrhills Muni (ZPH)

Coordinates

28.0000, -82.0000

Aircraft

Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR

Registration

N1202Z

Category

Glider

Year built

1982

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Glider Tow

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ERA24LA098

1 person was seriously injured.

The glider pilot’s failure to release from the towline after the tow plane experienced a loss of engine power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The tow plane and glider on tow had just lifted from the runway during takeoff when the tow plane experienced a loss of engine power. The tow plane landed straight-ahead on the runway. The glider continued in flight until it reached the limit of the tow rope and was pulled suddenly to the runway. The glider’s nose was crushed and the empennage separated. Examination of both the tow plane and the glider revealed no preimpact mechanical anomalies. A postaccident operational check of the airplane’s engine revealed no anomalies, and the tow release mechanism on the glider functioned normally. According to the FAA Glider Flying Handbook, “Upon losing sight of the towplane, the glider pilot must release immediately.” Further, “…if the towplane loses power after the glider is airborne, the glider pilot should pull the towline release, [and] land ahead…”

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.