Burkhart Grob 6103 TWIN ASTIR accident near Forrest City, Arkansas, May 22, 1994
On May 22, 1994 at about 6:44 pm local time, a Burkhart Grob 6103 TWIN ASTIR (glider), registered N156SS, was substantially damaged in an accident near Forrest City, Arkansas. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S LOSS OF AIRCRAFT CONTROL WHEN HE DIVERTED HIS ATTENTION TO CLOSING THE CANOPY. A FACTOR WAS HIS FAILURE TO PROPERLY CLOSE THE CANOPY PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 22, 1994 · about 6:44 pm local time
- Place
- Forrest City, Arkansas · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Burkhart Grob 6103 TWIN ASTIR 6103 TWIN
- Registration
- N156SS · no longer on the register · serial 3140
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
WHILE UNDER AEROTOW AT APPROXIMATELY 600 FEET AGL, THE REAR CANOPY OPENED. THE PILOT BECAME DISTRACTED AND LOST SIGHT OF THE TOW PLANE. HE THEN INSTRUCTED HIS FRONT SEAT PASSENGER TO RELEASE FROM THE TOW WHILE HE ATTEMPTED TO SECURE THE CANOPY. THE GLIDER ENTERED AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT AND STRUCK AN ELEVATED IRRIGATION PIPE. NO EVIDENCE OF MALFUNCTION OF THE REAR CANOPY LOCKING MECHANISMS WAS FOUND.
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: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 110 hours in all; 4 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 1, 1994
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 5:00 pm
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.
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.