# NTSB CHI99LA113: Delong Glastar GS-1, N918V, Lapeer, MI, March 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 20, 1999, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Lapeer, MI - Coordinates: 43.039993, -83.319297 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0400&lon=-83.3193&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45958 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA113 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45958/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA113 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain compensation for wind conditions. Factors to the accident were the crosswind condition and the presence of trees along the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, landing - flare/touchdown - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - object - tree(s) (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown - Nose gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown ## Analysis According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot 'experienced [wind] shear on short final to runway 27...' A weather report for a reporting station located 21 nautical miles and 253 degrees from the accident site reported winds from 200 degrees at 11 knots. According to the 1999 Michigan Airport Directory, the runway that was used has several groupings of trees along both sides of the runway. Post accident investigation revealed damage to the right wing, propeller, nose landing gear, and fuselage substructure. Further examination revealed no pre-existing anomalies. ## Factual narrative On March 20, 1999, at 1330 eastern standard time (est), an amateur-built Delong, Glastar GS-1, N918V, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage when it impacted terrain during landing on runway 27 (1900 feet by 150 feet, dry turf) at the Dupont-Lapeer Airport, Lapeer, Michigan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot reported no injuries to himself and his one passenger. The flight originated at the Dupont-Lapeer Airport for a local flight at 1100 est. According to the pilot's written statement, the pilot "experienced [wind] shear on short final to runway 27..." A weather report for a reporting station located 21 nautical miles and 253 degrees from the accident site reported winds from 200 degrees at 11 knots. According to the 1999 Michigan Airport Directory, the runway that was used has several groupings of trees along both sides of the runway. Post accident investigation revealed damage to the right wing, propeller, nose landing gear, and fuselage substructure. Further examination revealed no pre-existing anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N918V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N918V-2011-10-07), registration cancelled 2011-10-07, S/N 5219, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DELONG GLASTAR GS-1 (GLASTAR GS) - Registry model: [Delong Harry V GLASTAR GS-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/delong-harry-v-glastar-gs-1) (registry code 05603GJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5219 - Airframe hours: 464 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F6 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Roger W. Murray - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1998, 85 hours before - Departed: D95 - Airport: D95, Dupont-Lapeer, runway 27, 1,900 × 150 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 220 total, 71 in this make and model, 79 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FNT, 21 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 19990320046249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990320046249A), Mar 20, 1999: Amtr GLASTAR, Lapeer, MI, No damage. (-23) During short final into runway 27 at Lapeer du pont airport, the aircraft lost altitude rapidly and struck the ground. The aircraft initially landed on… 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.