Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR accident near Zephyrhills, Florida, January 25, 2024
On January 25, 2024 at about 7:15 pm local time, a 1982 Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR (glider), registered N1202Z, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff near Zephyrhills, Florida (Zephyrhills Muni airport). It was a glider-towing 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 glider pilot’s failure to release from the towline after the tow plane experienced a loss of engine power.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 25, 2024 · about 7:15 pm local time
- Place
- Zephyrhills, Florida · Zephyrhills Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR, built 1982 · all G103 TWIN ASTIRs on the register
- Registration
- N1202Z · registry record · serial 3615
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Glider-towing flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
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…”
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
- Glider tow event during takeoff defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of equip/system › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Equipment/furnishings › (general) › Not used/operated
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 10,390 hours in all; 3.3 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 7,000 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 7,317 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 17, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,279 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01/1, 6,201 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 3,400 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.15 inHg
- Observation at 1:50 pm from KLAL, 3 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KLAL 251850Z 15008KT 10SM BKN034 28/19 A3015
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on October 31, 2024. 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspector's Statement (Aircraft Examinations) | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Operations - FAA Glider Flying Handbook Excerpts | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Photo Array | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Bystander Video | MOV file | 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.