Glaser-Dirks DG-101 accident near Stanton, Minnesota, June 11, 1989
On June 11, 1989 at about 6:10 pm local time, a Glaser-Dirks DG-101 (glider), registered N83GB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Stanton, Minnesota (Stanton airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE GLIDER. CONTRIBUTING FACTORS WERE: IMPROPER USE OF FLIGHT CONTROLS BY THE PILOT AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF GLIDER.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 11, 1989 · about 6:10 pm local time
- Place
- Stanton, Minnesota · Stanton
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Glaser-Dirks DG-101
- Registration
- N83GB · registry record · serial E-133
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT SAID THAT AFTER A NORMAL LIFT-OFF, THE GLIDER BOUNCED, CAUSING IT TO RISE RAPIDLY TO ABOUT 50 FEET AGL. HE ELECTED TO RELEASE FROM THE TOW AIRCRAFT AND LAND STRAIGHT AHEAD. HOWEVER, THE RIGHT WING STRUCK THE GROUND AND THE GLIDER CAME TO REST INVERTED WITH SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE. THE PILOT HAD A TOTAL OF 35 HOURS IN GLIDERS OF WHICH 2 HOURS WERE IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF GLIDER.
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: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 225 hours in all; 2 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 180 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 110 hours
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded, April 25, 1989; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,000 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: (type not recorded); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: SYN Stanton MN at 6:09 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,582 ft by 300 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 7,500 ft; scat at 6,000 ft
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 54°F (12°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 7:00 pm from MSP, 25 miles away
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.