Burkhart Grob G-103 accident near Ionia, Michigan, May 10, 1992
On May 10, 1992 at about 6:20 pm local time, a Burkhart Grob G-103 (glider), registered N140BG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Ionia, Michigan. It was an other work-use flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S IMPROPER PREFLIGHT AND DECISION TO CLOSE THE GLIDER'S CANOPY AT LOW ALTITUDE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 10, 1992 · about 6:20 pm local time · cases in 1992
- Place
- Ionia, Michigan · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Burkhart Grob G-103 · all G-103s on the register
- Registration
- N140BG · registry record · serial 33902-K-140
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Other work-use flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE GLIDER WAS IN THE INITIAL CLIMB PHASE FROM TAKEOFF AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 150-200' AGL WHEN THE CANOPY SUDDENLY UNLATCHED AND STRUCK THE RIGHT WING. THE CANOPY WAS STILL ATTACHED, AND THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE IT. THE PILOT REPORTED HE BECAME DISORIENTED IN RELATION TO THE TOW AIRPLANE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE CANOPY, AND ELECTED TO PULL THE TOW RELEASE. ALTITUDE WAS INSUFFICIENT FOR A RETURN TO THE RUNWAY, AND AN OFF-AIRPORT SITE WAS SELECTED. THE GLIDER WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED DURING THE LANDING IN A ROUGH FIELD. A POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE GLIDER DISCLOSED NO MECHANICAL DEFICIENCIES WITH THE CANOPY LATCHING MECHANISM.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 410 hours in all; 88 in this make and model; 402 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,510 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, September 3, 1991; 62 hours since
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
- Operator: Benz Aviation
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:50 pm from LAN, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N140BG the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N140BG on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Burkhart Grob G-103 71 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- Burkhart Grob 99 aircraft on the register
- Engine: · as the NTSB recorded it
- Accidents and incidents in Michigan 2,107 since 1982 · 230 in the last ten years
- Michigan 7,236 aircraft registered
- Other NTSB records under N140BG 2 records · the number may have belonged to another aircraft at the time
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CHI92LA143.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.