# NTSB ATL92LA018: Globe GC-1D, N78006, Brewton, AL, October 28, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1991, 15:57 local (21:57 UTC)
- Place: Brewton, AL
- Coordinates: 31.110334, -87.06929 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1103&lon=-87.0693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8544
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA018
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8544/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA018

## Probable cause

A BLOCKAGE OF THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM WHICH PREVENTED THE PILOT FROM TOPPING OFF THE FUEL SYSTEM.  A FACTOR IN THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE INADEQUATE DESIGN BY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FUEL VENT SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - normal
  - 1 engine
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel system,vent - blocked(total) (cause)
  - fuel system
  - acft/equip,inadequate design, manufacturer (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE RAN OUT OF FUEL AND CRASHED SHORT OF THE DESTINATION AIRPORT. PRIOR TO DEPARTING HOMER, THE PILOT THOUGHT HE HAD TOPPED OFF THE FUEL SYSTEM DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.  HOWEVER, DURING POSTACCIDENT INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE AT THE ACCIDENT SITE, NO FUEL WAS RECOVERED FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM; THERE WAS NO FUEL SPILLAGE.  SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATIONS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM DISCLOSED THE FUEL VENT LINE FROM THE RIGHT TANK WAS BLOCKED AND PREVENTED A FULL COMPLIMENT OF FUEL (APPROXIMATELY 9 GALLONS) FROM BEING PUMPED INTO THE FUEL SYSTEM.  THE BLOCKAGE WAS 18 INCHES AFT THE RIGHT TANK AT THE LOWEST POINT OF THE VENT SYSTEM.  LATER MODELS OF THE SWIFT INCORPORATED A VENT SYSTEM VOID OF LOW POINTS AND LESS SUBJECT TO DEBRIS ACCUMULATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78006](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78006), registered now, S/N 2006 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Globe GC-1D
- Registry model: [Globe GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2006
- Airframe hours: 2177
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jang, Kenneth
- Registered owner: Jang, Kenneth
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, August 21, 1991, 16 hours before
- Departed: SF4, HOMER, LA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Airport: 12J, Municipal, runway 24, 5,135 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 300 total, 50 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MOB, 45 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 19911028048569A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911028048569A), Oct 28, 1991: Univac STCGC1, Brewton, AL, Substantial damage. Engine quit due fuel exhaustion. Vent line found blocked. Fuel vent system had been modified for canopy installation.

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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