# NTSB ATL88LA028: Globe GC-1B, N78169, Beaufort, SC, November 5, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 5, 1987, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Beaufort, SC
- Coordinates: 32.329399, -80.679512 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3294&lon=-80.6795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7669
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL88LA028
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7669/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA028

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel system,selector/valve - inoperative (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE ENGINE LOST PWR AT CRUISE AND THE PLT MADE A FORCED LNG IN A SALT-WATER MARSH. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PLT WAS FERRYING THE ACFT TO ANOTHER ARPT TO HAVE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE, WHICH WAS STUCK IN THE AUX TANK POSITION. THE AUX TANK WAS NOT FULL PRIOR TO DEPARTURE. ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER DEPARTURE, THE AUX TANK RAN DRY AND THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO SWITCH THE SELECTOR VALVE TO THE MAIN TANKS WHICH CONTAINED FUEL. EXAMINATION OF THE VALVE MECHANISM REVEALED THAT SET SCREWS ON THE SELECTOR VALVE SHAFT HAD LOOSENED, WHICH ALLOWED THE SELECTOR HANDLE TO BE MOVED WITHOUT REPOSITIONING THE SELECTOR VALVE. THE ACFT CRASHED ABOUT 12 MILES SHORT OF THE DESTINATION ARPT. ACCORDING TO FAA RECORDS, NO FERRY PERMIT WAS ISSUED FOR THE FLT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N78169 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GLOBE GC-1B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: GC-1B
- Airframe hours: 1950
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-A 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: F.L. Thomas Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 12, 1987, 44 hours before
- Departed: 71S, SUMMERVILLE, SC
- Destination: 73J, BEAUFORT, SC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 6,500 total, 450 in this make and model, 6,330 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19871105062209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871105062209A), Nov 5, 1987: Univac GC1B, Beaufort, SC, Substantial damage. On unauthorized ferry flight to repair fuel selector ran a tank dry. Unable to select full tank. Crashed in swamp.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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