# NTSB CEN17LA066: Gosselin Charles Glastar, N120CG, Lee's Summit, MO, December 31, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 31, 2016, 07:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Lee's Summit, MO - Coordinates: 38.925277, -94.378051 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.9253&lon=-94.3781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-climb to cruise: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report August 28, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 94556 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN17LA066 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94556/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94556 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17LA066 ## Probable cause Partial failure of the electric system due to a battery short, which resulted in a total loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Electrical power system: battery/charger](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Gosselin Charles GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md?model=05625DO), [All aircraft, 37 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022432/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Electrical system malf/failure](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332) (defining event); cases with it: [Gosselin Charles GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md?model=05625DO), [All aircraft, 182 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/332/sequence.md) - [Enroute-climb to cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Gosselin Charles GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05625DO), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Gosselin Charles GLASTAR, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=05625DO), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md) ## Analysis The private pilot reported that, shortly after takeoff in the experimental amateur-built airplane, the engine experienced a total loss of power. He was unable to restore power, and the airplane was substantially damaged during the subsequent forced landing. An examination of the engine and related systems revealed that one of two batteries required for operation of the electronic ignition system had a short and would not take a charge. When this battery was replaced with a known serviceable battery, the engine and systems functioned as designed. An examination of the remaining systems revealed no other anomalies. ## Factual narrative On December 31, 2016, about 0740 central standard time, an amateur-built Gosselin Glastar airplane, N120CG, was substantially damaged during a forced landing near Lee's Summit Municipal Airport (KLXT), Lee's Summit, Missouri. The private pilot sustained serious injury. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight plan had been filed for the flight. The flight had departed LXT about 0730 and was en route to Miami County Airport (K81), Paola, Kansas.According to the written statement provided by the pilot, his preflight inspection did not identify any problems. While attempting to start the airplane engine with the "A ignition system" the engine would turn over but would not start. The pilot switched to the "B ignition system" and had the same result. The pilot used a portable battery to "jump start" the engine; the engine started and ran within normal parameters. During the engine run-up, prior to takeoff, the parameters continued to indicate normal and the voltage indicated 14.2 volts. Several minutes after departure, the engine lost power. The pilot vaguely recalled trying to restore engine power but did not recall any of the events that followed. According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident, during the forced landing the tailwheel struck the ground first followed by the main landing gear. The fuselage and both wings were substantially damaged during the impact. The airframe, engine, and related systems were examined under the auspices of the responding FAA inspector. The airframe was equipped with an "A", "B", and "AB" battery system; however, the batteries were in series and not parallel. The operation of the engine, fuel system, and electronic fuel injection system was dependent on electrical power from both batteries. The examination revealed that one battery had a short and would not take a charge. When that battery was replaced with a known serviceable battery, the fuel boost pumps, and alternator functioned as designed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N120CG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N120CG-2017-06-22), registration cancelled 2017-06-22, S/N 5681, built 2007 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GOSSELIN CHARLES GLASTAR - Registry model: [Gosselin Charles GLASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/gosselin-charles-glastar) (registry code 05625DO) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Subaru ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/subaru-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 59050, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5681 - Year built: 2008 - Airframe hours: 289 - Engines: Subaru EJ-22 130 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2016 - Departed: KLXT, Lee's Summit, MO - Destination: K81, Paola, KS - Equipment: Angle of attack indicator, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Electronic primary flight display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 79; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 15, 2016; seat: left; flight hours: 1,400 total, 280 in this make and model, 1,310 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 36 °F, dew point 21 °F - Altimeter: 29.78 inHg - Observed at: KLXT, 2 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 20161231023469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161231023469A), Dec 31, 2016: Gosselin Charles GLASTAR, Lee'S Summit, MO, Substantial damage. After jump starting his engine using a portable battery, pilot took off from runway 18 and entered level flight in a southwesterly direction. Pilot experienced… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 11, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94556. 1.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 934 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40453022&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Examination Statement - Mechanic (item 2, .PDF, 76 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40452106&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Examination%20Statement%20-%20Mechanic-Master.PDF 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.