Burkhart Grob Flugzeugbau G103 TWIN ASTIR N4101M accident near Gregory, Michigan

Probable cause

The flight instructor’s improper planning during the simulated aborted launch which resulted in a touchdown on unsuitable terrain.

NTSB analysis

The flight instructor reported that while practicing an immediate landing after liftoff, with the student pilot at the flight controls, the glider landed past the end of the runway in tall grass on a downward sloping hill. The left wing lowered and the glider pivoted and came to rest in a muddy area. The rudder sustained substantial damage during the landing. The flight instructor reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.

The flight instructor remarked that in the future he would plan to terminate the tow earlier so there would be sufficient runway remaining to land on and brief whether the terrain beyond the runway was suitable for landings.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN26LA233 for the full record.