# NTSB CHI84FA255: Robert B. Boston Glasair RG, N5177Y, Columbus, OH, June 23, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 23, 1984, 13:05 local (17:05 UTC)
- Place: Columbus, OH
- Coordinates: 40.010284, -82.91941 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0103&lon=-82.9194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12406
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84FA255
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12406/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84FA255

## Sequence of events

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

- Undetermined, climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - utility pole (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS ON THE 2ND LEG OF A FLT TO FERRY THE HOME-BUILT ACFT TO THE LANCASTER ARPT FOR FURTHER TESTING. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE REQUESTED CLEARANCE TO STAY IN THE AREA FOR A FEW MINUTES. ATC ASKED HIM IF HE HAD A PROBLEM & THE PLT RESPONDED 'NO, I JUST WANT TO CHECK SOMETHING OUT.'  A FEW MINUTES LATER, HE STATED 'I'M IN TROUBLE.'  THE ACFT WAS SEEN & HEARD IN A DESCENDING LEFT TURN AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF OVER 100 MPH WITH THE ENG RUNNING AT A HIGH RPM & WITH THE LANDING GEAR RETRACTED. WHILE IN A DESCENDING LEFT TURN, THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE TOP. IT THEN HIT A UTILITY POLE, IMPACTED THE GROUND, BURST INTO FLAMES & WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5177Y (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: ROBERT B. BOSTON GLASAIR RG
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 134R
- Airframe hours: 2
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-D3G 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert B. Boston
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: CMH
- Destination: I15, LANCASTER, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,929 total, 2 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 12° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CMH, 3 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 19840623026069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840623026069A), Jun 23, 1984: Amtr GLASAIR, Columbus, OH, Destroyed. Aircraft crashed and burned on second flight for unknown reasons.

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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