# NTSB ERA16LA184: Globe GC 1B, N78193, Hedgesville, WV, May 14, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 2016, 13:10 local (17:10 UTC) - Place: Hedgesville, WV - Coordinates: 39.574722, -77.971389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5747&lon=-77.9714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report April 20, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 93168 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16LA184 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93168/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93168 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16LA184 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control when it encountered a wind gust during climbout. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Globe GC-1B, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=9230104), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Globe GC-1B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=9230104), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Globe GC-1B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=9230104), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Globe GC-1B, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=9230104), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Globe GC-1B, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=9230104), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot indicated that he purchased the airplane the day of the accident. Before departure, he conducted an airplane run-up and taxied to the runway for takeoff; the takeoff was uneventful, and engine indications were normal. However, the airplane encountered an uncommanded roll at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level. He attempted to level the wings but was unsuccessful. The nose of the airplane pitched down, and the airplane collided with the ground. A witness who watched the run-up before takeoff stated that a runway windsock indicated a gusting crosswind (with a slight tailwind component); he then observed what seemed like a rapid aileron input during the takeoff, and the airplane stalled. Postaccident examination of the engine and flight controls revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, it is likely that the pilot was unable to regain control of the airplane when the airplane encountered a wind gust. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2016, at 1310 eastern daylight time, a Globe GC-1B, N78193, was substantially damaged during climb out from Green Landings Airport (WV22), Hedgesville, West Virginia. The pilot was seriously injured and passenger received minor injuries. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individual in accordance with Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.According to the pilot, he had just purchased the airplane the day of the accident. Prior to departure he conducted a run up and taxied to the grass strip runway for takeoff from runway 3. He said that the takeoff was uneventful and during climb out all engine indications were normal. When the airplane reached about 100 ft above ground level (agl), he said that it banked sharply to the left. He attempted to level wings but was unsuccessful. The nose of the airplane pitched down and the airplane collided with the ground. The pilot reported that he only accumulated 3 flight hours in make and model. According to a witness, he watched the airplane perform a run up prior to takeoff. He said that runway windsock indicated gusty winds and a slight quartering tailwind. He also noticed that the airplane did not use the entire length of the runway for the take off. As the airplane began its takeoff roll it drifted to the left and rotated. The engine was at full power and the airplane was at a high pitch as it began climbing rapidly. The witness observed a rapid aileron input and the airplane stalled. Initial examination of the airplane by a West Virginia State Trooper revealed that the airplane came to rest in the front of a residential home. Both wings were buckled and the horizontal stabilizers were broken away from the empennage. Examination of the engine and flight controls by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed no anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. The weather conditions at the Hagerstown, Washington County Regional Airport (HGR), approximately 13 nautical miles from the accident site, were winds at 290° at 13 knots with 22 knot gusts, light rain and 8 statute miles visibility, with scattered clouds at 4,900 ft agl. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78193](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78193), registered now, S/N 2193, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GLOBE GC 1B (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Globe GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2193 - Year built: 1947 - Airframe hours: 2162.2 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320 SERIES 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 2, 2015 - Departed: WV22, Hedgesville, WV - Destination: OMN, Ormond Beach, FL - Flight plan: IFR - Airport: WV22, Green Landings Airport, runway 03, 2,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system, Satellite tracking device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; injuries: serious; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 20, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 980 total, 3 in this make and model, 760 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 13 knots, gusting 22 - Visibility: 8 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.75 inHg - Observed at: HGR, 13 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 20160514008859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160514008859A), May 14, 2016: Globe GC-1B, Hedgesville, WV, Destroyed. Aircraft took off on upsloping wet sod runway. Weather was light rain, wind calm, and VMC reported by 2 pilot witnesses at time of takeoff roll. Witnesses (2… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93168. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477607&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot's Statement (item 2, .PDF, 323 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477608&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - FAA Inspector's Statement (item 3, .PDF, 105 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477609&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20Inspector%27s%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Statements (item 4, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477610&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 42 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477611&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Photo (item 6, .PDF, 1 photo, 96 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40477612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-Master.PDF 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.