# NTSB CHI99LA169: Hornbeck Glassair, N83PG, Johnson City, KS, May 31, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 31, 1999, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC) - Place: Johnson City, KS - Coordinates: 37.570354, -101.750579 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5704&lon=-101.7506&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46546 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA169 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46546/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA169 ## Probable cause The pilot's intentional low altitude performance of aerobatics. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Abrupt maneuver, cruise - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Witnesses reported that the experimental airplane was flying about 200 to 300 feet above the ground when it began a roll-type maneuver. According to the witnesses, the airplane became inverted and then descended vertically into the ground. The on-scene investigation revealed no airframe or flight control anomalies that would prevent flight. The pilot did not possess an FAA Statement of Aerobatic Competency. ## Factual narrative On May 31, 1999, at 1320 central daylight time, a Hornbeck Glassair, N83PG, piloted by a private pilot, was destroyed when it impacted the ground following a witness reported low altitude maneuver. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Ulysses, Kansas, exact time unknown. Witnesses reported that N83PG was flying east 200 to 300 feet above the ground. They said N83PG was flying at a high rate of speed when it began a roll-like maneuver. The witnesses said the airplane rolled inverted, pitched down, and flew into the ground at a near vertical angle. One witness reported that N83PG's engine was running at "...full throttle..." as it descended into the ground. Other witnesses said the engine sounded normal during the maneuver leading to the accident. N83PG's wreckage path was about 60 feet long on an approximate magnetic heading of 010 degrees. Most of the wreckage was confined to two areas at the opposite ends of the wreckage path. A section of the wing, next to the main spar and the cockpit aft to the empennage, was at the beginning of the wreckage trail. The engine and portions of the fuselage forward of the instrument panel were at the opposite end of the wreckage trail. The on-scene investigation revealed control continuity for all three axises. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)records, the accident pilot did not possess a Statement of Aerobatic Competency. The pilot's autopsy was performed on June 1, 1999, at Cimarron Pathology, P.A., Liberal, Kansas. The toxicology examination was conducted by the FAA's Civil Aeromedical Institute (CAMI), Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The examination report stated the toxicological samples were received in a putrified condition. According to a CAMI laboratory representative, the levels of ethanol, methanol, isobutonal, and acetaldehyde shown on the toxicology report were the result of putrification. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N83PG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83PG-1999-12-09), registration cancelled 1999-12-09, S/N SN-473R (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hornbeck GLASSAIR - Registry model: [Hornbeck Gary G GLASAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/hornbeck-gary-g-glasair) (registry code 05655UP) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 473R - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kirk S. Malone - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: ULS, ULYSSES, KS - Destination: 2K3 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 8 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,900 ft broken - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 68 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LBL, 42 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 19990531005929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990531005929A), May 31, 1999: Amtr GLASAIR, Johnson, KS, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witness stated the aircraft rolled and crashed after a fly-by of the airport. Other circumstances unknown. (.19) on may 31, 1999, at 1320 central daylight… 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.