N78193

Substantial
Serious

GLOBE GC 1BS/N: 2193

Accident Details

Date
Saturday, May 14, 2016
NTSB Number
ERA16LA184
Location
Hedgesville, WV
Event ID
20160516X83754
Coordinates
39.574722, -77.971389
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
Serious
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
1
Minor Injuries
1
Uninjured
0
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control when it encountered a wind gust during climbout.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
GLOBE
Serial Number
2193
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1947
Model / ICAO
GC 1BFK12
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
GC-1B

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
TROXELL JAY C
Address
15 S MAIN ST
City
HATFIELD
State / Zip Code
PA 19440-2424
Country
United States

Analysis

On May 14, 2016, at 1310 eastern daylight time, a Globe GC-1B, N78193, was substantially damaged during climb out from Green Landings Airport (WV22), Hedgesville, West Virginia. The pilot was seriously injured and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individual in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.According to the pilot, he had just purchased the airplane the day of the accident. Prior to departure he conducted a run up and taxied to the grass strip runway for takeoff from runway 3. He said that the takeoff was uneventful and during climb out all engine indications were normal. When the airplane reached about 100 ft above ground level (agl), he said that it banked sharply to the left. He attempted to level wings but was unsuccessful. The nose of the airplane pitched down and the airplane collided with the ground. The pilot reported that he only accumulated 3 flight hours in make and model.

According to a witness, he watched the airplane perform a run up prior to takeoff. He said that runway windsock indicated gusty winds and a slight quartering tailwind. He also noticed that the airplane did not use the entire length of the runway for the take off. As the airplane began its takeoff roll it drifted to the left and rotated. The engine was at full power and the airplane was at a high pitch as it began climbing rapidly. The witness observed a rapid aileron input and the airplane stalled.

Initial examination of the airplane by a West Virginia State Trooper revealed that the airplane came to rest in the front of a residential home. Both wings were buckled and the horizontal stabilizers were broken away from the empennage. Examination of the engine and flight controls by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.

The weather conditions at the Hagerstown, Washington County Regional Airport (HGR), approximately 13 nautical miles from the accident site, were winds at 290° at 13 knots with 22 knot gusts, light rain and 8 statute miles visibility, with scattered clouds at 4,900 ft agl.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA16LA184