# NTSB ATL89DKJ04: Glassair III, N253LC, Auburn, AL, May 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1989, 08:46 local (13:46 UTC)
- Place: Auburn, AL
- Coordinates: 32.730358, -85.569282 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.7304&lon=-85.5693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7834
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DKJ04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7834/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DKJ04

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PREMATURE LIFT-OFF WHICH RESULTED IN A STALL INTO TREES.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - initial climb

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE TURBOPROP HOMEBUILT LIFTED OFF THE RUNWAY AT A SLOW AIRSPEED AND HIGH PITCH ANGLE. IT THEN ROLLED TO LEFT AND SETTLED INTO TREES. DUE TO THE SUBTANTIAL P-FACTOR AND TORQUE OF THE TURBOPROP ENGINE, TAKEOFF THRUST IS NORMALLY NOT APPLIED UNTIL SUFFICIENT AIRSPEED FOR RUDDER EFFECTIVENESS IS ATTAINED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N253LC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N253LC-1991-03-22), registration cancelled 1991-03-22, S/N 3013 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASSAIR III
- Registry model: [Carter Joint Venture GLASAIR III](https://openairdocs.org/model/carter-joint-venture-glasair-iii) (registry code 056555Q) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3013
- Engines: ALLISON 250-8170 420 horsepower turbo prop
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vernon H. Carter
- Registered owner: Carter Joint Venture
- Destination: DAB, DAYTONA BEACH, FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: AUO, Auburn-Opelika, runway 18, 4,950 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 326 total, 170 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 40,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CSG, 21 nm away

## 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 19890523012659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890523012659A), May 23, 1989: Amtr GLASAIR, Auburn, AL, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Pitched up and dropped a wing on liftoff, leveled but had turned off runway alignment and struck trees.

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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