- Date
- March 13, 1995, 17:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place
- Norton, KS
- Injuries
- 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Phase of flight
- Enroute
- Aircraft
- N78103Globe GC-1B
- Weather
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Status
- Completed · report October 13, 1995
- Report
- Approved by Office Director
- FAA report
- 19950313003849A
- Case key
- 9861
From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.
On this page
Probable cause
the reason for the loss of engine power was undetermined. The rough, uneven terrain encountered during the forced landing was a factor.
Sequence of events
NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.
Analysis
The pilot, along with a pilot rated passenger (his mechanic), initiated a flight after maintenance on the airplane. During the flight the oil pressure was observed to read zero. While attempting to return to the airport, the engine began to run rough. The pilot then made a forced landing on a terraced wheat field and the airplane sustained damage in the uneven terrain. An examination of the airframe and engine failed to reveal the reason for the power loss and no anomalies were found in any of the systems examined.
Factual narrative
On March 13, 1995, at 1730 central standard time, a Globe GC-1B, N78103, piloted by a private pilot, lost power and made a forced landing near Norton, Kansas. The airplane sustained substantial damage during the off airport landing. The pilot reported minor injuries, while his one passenger reported no injuries. The personal 14 CFR Part 91 flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan was on file. The flight originated at Norton, Kansas, at 1715.
This flight was the first flight after maintenance on the engine. The pilot stated that during the flight the oil pressure went to zero and while he was attempting to return to the airport the engine began to run rough, and he then initiated a forced landing.
An examination of the engine after the accident failed to reveal any mechanical anomalies. The examination verified that fuel was available, with approximately 16 gallons found. The spark plugs were in satisfactory condition, that there was continuity through the engine, and that all the cylinders had compression. The number one cylinder was removed and no anomalies were found. The oil pressure gage and sending units were checked and found to operate.
Aircraft
- Registration
- N78103
- Reported as
- Globe GC-1B
- Category
- Airplane
- Serial number
- 2103
- Airframe hours
- 1,215
- Engine
- Lycoming IO-360-A1B6, 200 horsepower, reciprocating
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal · Part 91
- Registered owner
- Nelson, Larry W.
- Airworthiness certificate
- Standard, Normal
- Last inspection
- Annual · December 22, 1994 · 9 hours before
- Departed
- NRN
Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.
Flight crew
As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.
- Role
- Pilot
- Age
- 46
- Certificate
- Private
- Airplane ratings
- Single-engine land
- Medical
- Class 3, Expired
- Seat
- Left
- Flight hours
- 219 total · 81 in this make and model
Weather
- Conditions
- Visual (VMC) · Day
- Wind
- 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility
- 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling
- None
- Temperature
- 64 °F
FAA reports on this event · 1
The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.