Burkhart Grob G102 Std Astir III accident near Wickenburg, Arizona, June 16, 2007
On June 16, 2007 at about 11:00 pm local time, a Burkhart Grob G102 Std Astir III (glider), registered N123KG, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wickenburg, Arizona (Camp Date Creek Airstrip 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
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in an inflight collision with a cactus tree while landing. The loss of thermal lift, tailwind, gusts, and tree were contributing factors to the accident.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 16, 2007 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Wickenburg, Arizona · Camp Date Creek Airstrip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Burkhart Grob G102 Std Astir III
- Registration
- N123KG · registry record · serial 55565
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The glider pilot was conducting a cross-country flight. Approximately 4 hours into the flight, the pilot experienced a loss of thermal lift. He reversed course and attempted to land on an uncharted airstrip. During the forced landing, wind gusts and a tailwind were present. On final approach, "a strong gust/windshear" moved the glider to the right side of the runway. The right wing impacted a cactus tree and sustained substantial damage. The pilot said that there were no mechanical malfunctions.
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: 370 hours in all; 250 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: None
The aircraft
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine:; 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 28A2 Aguila AZ
- Destination: Camp Date Creek AZ
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 15 knots, gusting 19
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 106°F (41°C), dew point 19°F (-7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.78 inHg
- Observation at 10:55 pm from KLUF
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.