WARNER SPRINGS, CA, USA
N3950B
Burkhart Grob G102
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.
On September 9, 1996, at 1255 hours Pacific daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G102, N3950B, operated by Sky Sailing, collided with trees and terrain approaching runway 26 at the Sky Sailing (uncontrolled) Airport, Warner Springs, California. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. The glider was substantially damaged, and the commercial pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Warner Springs at 1250. According to the glider pilot, during the initial climb he observed that the glider's yaw indicator string was caught in his canopy and was unusable, so he elected to terminate the flight and make a precautionary landing. The pilot released the aero towline and attempted to return to the airport. At the time, the glider was approximately 500 feet above ground level. He stated in his accident report that while approaching the runway he encountered "heavy sink" and did not have sufficient altitude to clear the trees which were located near the runway. The glider's owner reported that it was the pilot's responsibility to close the canopy before takeoff. Also, it was the pilot's responsibility to ensure that the yaw string was free from the canopy before the canopy was secured.
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
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