Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR accident near Marana, Arizona, April 24, 2016
On April 24, 2016 at about 9:30 pm local time, a 1983 Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR (glider), registered N40880, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering near Marana, Arizona (El Tiro airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The glider's loss of lift as a result of unfavorable wind conditions for glider operations, consequently resulting in a collision with trees.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 24, 2016 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Marana, Arizona · El Tiro · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR TWIN II, built 1983 · all G103 TWIN ASTIRs on the register
- Registration
- N40880 · no longer on the register · serial 3795
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, while maneuvering the glider about 2,900 feet above ground level, the pilot determined that the wind conditions were not conducive to sustain flight and turned toward the runway in order to establish an approach. He recalled that while maneuvering toward the runway, he encountered downdrafts and began to lose altitude rapidly. He reported that he issued a mayday call about ¾ of a statute mile from the runway, established a nose up attitude to decrease the airspeed, and the glider impacted the trees. The glider sustained substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies with the glider prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal flight 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
- Other weather encounter during maneuvering
- Loss of lift during maneuvering defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during emergency descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Attain/maintain not possible
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Downdraft › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 190 hours in all; 42 in this make and model; 2 in the last 90 days; 1 in the last 30 days; 181 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 17, 2015
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: rear
- Injury: no injuries
Passenger
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, March 1, 2016; 7,568.8 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,279 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Operator: Tucson Soaring Club INC
The flight
- Departed from: AZ67 Tucson AZ at 9:00 pm
- Destination: AZ67 Marana AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 18°F (-8°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 am from KMZJ, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.