Amateur-built MINI-NIMBUS C accident near Groveland, Florida, March 16, 2021
On March 16, 2021 at about 4:52 pm local time, a 1979 amateur-built MINI-NIMBUS C (glider), registered N16MG, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Groveland, Florida (Seminole Lake Gliderport airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s unsuccessful initial attempt to release from the tow plane at the start of an unstable takeoff roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a parked vehicle. Contributing to the severity of the accident was the vehicle’s proximity to the active runway.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 16, 2021 · about 4:52 pm local time
- Place
- Groveland, Florida · Seminole Lake Gliderport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built MINI-NIMBUS C, built 1979
- Registration
- N16MG · no longer on the register · serial 104
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
On the day of the accident, the pilot was participating in a glider competition event. During the takeoff roll under aerotow, the glider yawed to the left as the left wingtip dropped to the ground. As the glider approached an access road east of the runway, the pilot attempted to release from the tow plane; however, his hand slipped off the release handle. He was subsequently able to release from the tow plane and attempted to turn and stop but was unsuccessful. The glider struck an unoccupied parked pickup truck. The pilot was seriously injured, and the glider sustained substantial damage to the forward fuselage and right wing. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. If the pilot’s initial attempt to release from the tow plane had been successful, it likely would have allowed him more time to reduce speed or change course before the collision. The reason for the left yaw was not identified. The truck was parked in or near a strip along the left side of the runway that was to remain clear of personal vehicles during landing operations. Had the truck instead been parked in the designated parking area, the collision may have been prevented or its severity may have been reduced.
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
What happened, in order
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Operating environment › Airport facilities/design › Ground support/equipment › Contributed to outcome
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 14,800 hours in all; 248 in this make and model; 200 in the last 90 days; 30 in the last 30 days; 10,100 as pilot in command; 580 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 1, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: sngl
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,503 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 21, 2020
- Maximum gross weight: 1,102 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: retractable
The flight
- Runway 18, 3,000 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 190° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,600 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 12:55 pm from ZPH, 21 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on June 8, 2023. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 7 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Tow Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Maintenance Records Excerpt | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Record of Conversation - FAA Inspector | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Seminole -lake Soaring Competition - Pilot Information | PDF, 18 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Wreckage Photographs | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.