Event LAX97LA227

Factual narrative

On June 29, 1997, at 1710 hours Pacific daylight time, a Burkhart Grob G-103-Twin II glider, N18AG, collided with terrain after aborting the takeoff climb when the tow rope broke at the Jacumba, California, airport. The glider was substantially damaged and the certificated commercial pilot received minor injuries. The passenger was not injured. The pilot was operating the glider as a personal flight when the accident occurred. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot reported that the glider was being launched by a vehicle ground tow. He stated that about 250 feet agl, the tow row broke at the "weak link." He reported that he might have been too aggressive during the rotation. The pilot reported that he felt he was too far down the runway to land straight ahead, so he turned left, intending to fly an abbreviated pattern. He lost altitude more rapidly than he had anticipated and could not complete the turn back to the runway. During the turn the glider descended and the left wing tip dragged through vegetation. According to the pilot, the glider landed hard while skidding left and the main landing gear was sheared off. The glider was being launched by a vehicle ground tow. About 250 feet agl, the tow row broke at the 'weak link.' The pilot reported that he might have been too aggressive during the rotation. He stated that he felt he was too far down the runway to land straight ahead, so he turned left intending to fly an abbreviated pattern. He stated that he lost altitude more rapidly than he had anticipated and could not complete the turn back to the runway. During the turn the glider descended and the left wing tip dragged through the vegetation. According to the pilot, the glider landed hard while skidding left and the main landing gear was sheared off. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12