Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II accident near Windham, New York, November 4, 2007
On November 4, 2007 at about 6:45 pm local time, a Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II (glider), registered N46009, was substantially damaged in an accident near Windham, New York (Freehold Airport). 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
An inadvertent encounter with a wind gust while maneuvering.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 4, 2007 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Windham, New York · Freehold Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II · all G 103 Twin IIs on the register
- Registration
- N46009 · no longer on the register · serial 3830
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Both pilots were alternating flying duties in a Burkhart Grob G 103 Twin II glider. They had been soaring along a ridge for approximately 1 hour in non-turbulent wind. The rear seat pilot was flying on the upwind side of the ridge, about 500 feet above the summit, when a gust of wind suddenly forced the glider to the downwind side of the ridge, about 25 feet below the summit. The glider then impacted trees, sustained substantial damage, and both pilots were seriously injured. The reported wind at an airport about 25 miles northeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was 270 degrees at 6 knots. Examination of the glider did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilots report any.
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: 1,433 hours in all; 44 in this make and model; 28 in the last 90 days; 9 in the last 30 days; 70 as pilot in command; 0 on instruments
- Last flight review: July 1, 2007
- Medical certificate: None
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
Co-pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 308 hours in all; 50 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Maximum gross weight: 1,279 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 1I5 Freehold NY at 5:30 pm
- Destination: 1I5
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 30°F (-1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observation at 6:51 pm from ALB, 25 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | 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.