Probable cause
The certified flight instructor's inadequate compensation for the crosswind and delayed remedial action during landing, which resulted in a ground loop.
NTSB analysis
The certified flight instructor (CFI) stated that he was providing instruction to a student pilot in a glider. After a routine local instructional flight, they returned to the departure airport for landing. The student was flying the glider and the CFI was providing verbal instructions to him as they completed a standard traffic pattern to the dirt landing area. He reported that there was a crosswind at 12 knots, gusting to about 20 knots. The glider encountered a high sink rate and the CFI took authority over the controls. The glider ground looped, resulting in substantial damage to the tail. The CFI reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the glider that would have precluded normal operation.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA060 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Nov 26, 2010
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Warner Springs, California
- Nearest airport
- Warner Springs Gliderport (CL35)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Burkhart Grob G-103A TWIN II ACRO
- N-number
- N855BG
- Category
- Glider
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Instructional
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.