Burkhart Grob G103 accident near Tehachapi, California, July 19, 1994
On July 19, 1994 at about 10:00 pm local time, a Burkhart Grob G103 (glider), registered N38366, was substantially damaged in an accident near Tehachapi, California (Mountain Valley 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 pilot's failure to secure the canopy before takeoff, and his failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 19, 1994 · about 10:00 pm local time
- Place
- Tehachapi, California · Mountain Valley · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Burkhart Grob G103 · all G103s on the register
- Registration
- N38366 · no longer on the register · serial 3760
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT PLANNED TO GIVE THE PASSENGER A DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT IN THE GLIDER. THE OPERATOR REPORTED THAT THE REAR PORTION OF THE GLIDER'S CANOPY OPENED UP DURING TAKEOFF. THE PILOT RELEASED THE TOW LINE AND THEN LANDED AHEAD ON THE REMAINING RUNWAY. AFTER TOUCHDOWN, THE GLIDER GROUND LOOPED AND THE EMPENNAGE SEPARATED FROM THE FUSELAGE. THE GLIDER'S CANOPY LATCHING MECHANISM WAS SUBSEQUENTLY EXAMINED BY AN AIRCRAFT MECHANIC. THE LATCHING MECHANISM WAS FOUND IN WORKING ORDER.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 636 hours in all; 18 in this make and model; 56 in the last 90 days; 25 in the last 30 days; 615 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,065 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 12, 1994; 62 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,279 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: L94 Mountain Valley CA at 9:55 pm
- Destination: L94 CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27R, 5,190 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 10 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
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.