Grob-Werke TWIN ASTIR accident near Franconia, New Hampshire, July 24, 2025
On July 24, 2025 at about 8:00 pm local time, a Grob-Werke TWIN ASTIR (glider), registered N103GV, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Franconia, New Hampshire. It was a personal 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’s failure to detect the inadvertent deployment of the spoilers, which resulted in a prolonged, excessive descent rate. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s decision to conduct a downwind approach versus a straight in approach to the diversionary airport, which resulted in an off-airport landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 24, 2025 · about 8:00 pm local time
- Place
- Franconia, New Hampshire · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Grob-Werke TWIN ASTIR
- Registration
- N103GV · registry record · serial 3069
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the glider was being towed to altitude near mountainous terrain when the glider encountered turbulence and rotor wave activity. The pilot reported that, after releasing from tow, he noted that the glider was in “some bad sink.” The pilot initially turned back to the airport but continued to lose altitude quickly. He then noticed that the spoilers were extended, retracted them, and attempted to reach a diversionary airport; however, the glider continued to descend rapidly. The pilot said he entered the airport traffic pattern rather than making a straight-in landing approach, but realized he had insufficient altitude to clear trees, and landed in a nearby field. Upon landing, the glider ground looped when it contacted tall grass resulting in substantial damage to the tail boom. The pilot said there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Loss of lift during maneuvering defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Identification/recognition › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Flight control system › Drag control system › Incorrect use/operation
- Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 253 hours in all; 14.2 in this make and model; 24.7 in the last 90 days; 14.8 in the last 30 days; 171.2 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 20, 2024
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,205 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 15, 2024
- Maximum gross weight: 1,435 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: None (none); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1B5 Franconia NH at 7:30 pm
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 230° at 8 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 5,000 ft
- Temperature: 88°F (31°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 3:52 pm from HIE, 15 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KHIE 241952Z AUTO 23008G19KT 200V270 10SM FEW050 31/17 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP149 T03110172
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 1 picture from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on November 20, 2025. 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, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photo | PDF, 2 pages · our copy | 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.