Burkhart Grob G102 accident near Warner Springs, California, September 9, 1996
On September 9, 1996 at about 7:55 pm local time, a Burkhart Grob G102 (glider), registered N3950B, was substantially damaged in an accident near Warner Springs, California (Sky Sailing airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
improper planning/decision by the pilot concerning a low altitude release to return to the airport after takeoff. Factors relating to the accident were: the pilot's inadequate preflight by failing to ensure that the yaw indicator string movement was free, when he closed the canopy; and the heavy sink (downdraft) that was encountered during the approach to land.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 9, 1996 · about 7:55 pm local time
- Place
- Warner Springs, California · Sky Sailing · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Burkhart Grob G102
- Registration
- N3950B · registry record · serial 5607CB
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
In preparation for an aero tow takeoff, the pilot closed and secured the glider's canopy, and the aero tow proceeded. During the initial climb, the pilot recognized that the glider's yaw indicator string was caught in the canopy and was therefore unusable. The pilot decided to make a precautionary landing. At about 500 feet above ground level, he released the towline and attempted to return to the airport. According to the pilot, during the approach, he encountered heavy sink. The glider collided with trees and terrain short of the runway.
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: 260 hours in all; 6 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 200 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: ctr
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,840 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, January 26, 1996
- Maximum gross weight: 838 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CL35 at 7:50 pm
- Destination: CL35
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 26, 3,500 ft by 70 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 5 knots, gusting 10
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.