# NTSB CHI88DEM02: Galloway XTC, N3969C, Lowell, MI, March 5, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: March 5, 1988, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Lowell, MI
- Coordinates: 42.93074, -85.340583 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9307&lon=-85.3406&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 13, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI88DEM02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI88DEM02

## 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, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - engine assembly,bearing - burned (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - seized (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - proper glidepath - not attained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM SOME 'PATTERN FLIGHTS' WHEN, AFTER TURNING ON TO THE BASE LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO 'DEAD STICK' THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RUNWAY, BUT ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED WERE NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH FOR THE AIRCRAFT TO REACH THE RUNWAY. SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SOME TREES APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BURNED BEARING WHICH HAD ROTATED IN THE CRANKCASE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3969C (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GALLOWAY XTC
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 04
- Airframe hours: 49
- Engines: ROTAX 447 43 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Earnest L. Galloway
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1987, 4 hours before
- Airport: 24C, Lowell, runway 24, 1,850 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 609 total, 55 in this make and model, 20 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 30 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GRR, 10 nm away

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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