# NTSB ERA24LA144: Glasair Sportsman 2+2, N76TG, Fort Meade, FL, March 14, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: March 14, 2024, 14:42 local (18:42 UTC) - Place: Fort Meade, FL - Coordinates: 27.751523, -81.797227 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7515&lon=-81.7972&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193953 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193953/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193953 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA144 ## Probable cause The pilot’s inadequate inspection of the airplane following an inflight smoke event, which result in separation of the exhaust pipe and hot exhaust igniting the engine cowling, and a subsequent loss of engine power. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Wright David SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=05627L0), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Engine exhaust](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057800): Aircraft › Aircraft power plant · Failure (probable cause); cases with it: [Wright David SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057800/cases.md?model=05627L0), [All aircraft, 56 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01057800/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Prior to flight: Aircraft inspection event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050); cases with it: [Wright David SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md?model=05627L0), [All aircraft, 229 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/050/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Fire/smoke (non-impact)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150) (defining event); cases with it: [Wright David SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md?model=05627L0), [All aircraft, 504 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/150/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (total)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341); cases with it: [Wright David SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md?model=05627L0), [All aircraft, 3,820 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/341/sequence.md) - [Enroute-cruise: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Wright David SPORTSMAN 2+2, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=05627L0), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was attempting to depart but smelled smoke and returned to the airport. After removing the engine cowling and briefly examining the area of the engine, he secured a “scat tube” to an engine mount with a zip tie and then elected to depart on the accident flight. Shortly after departing, smoke began to enter the cockpit and the engine noise changed. Shortly thereafter, the engine lost total power and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane’s landing gear dug into the ground; the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted and was subsequently consumed by fire. Postaccident examination of the wreckage revealed that the engine’s exhaust pipe was missing and there was evidence of the components in that area having been exposed to extremely high temperatures. Additionally, fire damage was noted on the lower engine cowling, engine fluid lines, carburetor, and other components beneath the engine. Given these findings, it is likely that hot exhaust from the broken/missing exhaust pipe ignited the composite materials of the lower engine cowling, compromising the fluid lines and other induction components beneath the engine, and resulting in the loss of engine power described by the pilot. Given the pilot’s description of having initially smelled smoke, which prompted his initial return to the airport, had he (or other maintenance personnel) conducted a more thorough examination of the airplane, it is possible that the exhaust leak could have been detected before it resulted in an inflight fire and subsequent loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On March 14, 2024, at 1442 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Sportsman 2+2, N76TG, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fort Meade, Florida. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Earlier on the day of the accident, the pilot flew uneventfully from Fly In Ranches Airport (FD25), Vero Beach, Florida to Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida. The pilot was later attempting to depart from LAL and described that the outside air temperature was very hot, and that the airplane had idled for longer than he had previously experienced in this time flying it before being cleared to depart. Shortly after takeoff, the pilot smelled a strong “hot” or smoke smell. After conveying his concerns to air traffic control, the pilot returned to the airport and landed. He subsequently taxied, parked the airplane, and shut down the engine. When he opened the engine cowling, he found that a “scat tube” near a header pipe was discolored. He then used a zip tie to secure the tube to an engine mount cross-member, after which he departed on the accident flight, about 1430. While enroute, about 10 miles away from LAL, smoke entered the cockpit and the engine noise changed. Shortly thereafter, the engine stopped producing power and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane’s landing gear dug into the ground, and the airplane nosed over coming to rest inverted. The pilot and passenger egressed and the airplane was subsequently consumed by fire. Postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the engine exhaust pipe was missing, and there was evidence of the components in that area having been exposed to extremely high temperatures. Additionally, fire damage was noted on the lower cowling, engine fluid lines, carburetor, and other components beneath the engine. The entire airframe was consumed by fire. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N76TG](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N76TG), registered now, S/N 7278 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Glasair Sportsman 2+2 - Registry model: [Wright David SPORTSMAN 2+2](https://openairdocs.org/model/wright-david-sportsman-2-plus-2) (registry code 05627L0) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 7278 - Year built: 2009 - Airframe hours: 271 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A1F6 reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: Both - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, April 11, 2023 - Departed: LAL, Lakeland, FL - Destination: FD25, Vero Beach, FL - Equipment: Electronic primary flight display, Auto-pilot, ADS-B, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; last flight review October 3, 2022; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,387 total, 22 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,500 ft broken - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.09 inHg - Observed at: BOW, 12 nm away - METAR: KBOW 141850Z 00000KT 10SM BKN045 29/17 A3009 ## 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 20240314002229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20240314002229A), Mar 14, 2024: Wright David SPORTSMAN 2 + 2, Fort Meade, FL, Destroyed. On March 14, 2024 at approximately 1323 EDT, an experimental amateur built sportsman 2+2 with a pilot and a passenger on board departed lakeland linder… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 2, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193953. 3.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17049073&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17054142&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record-pilot-Rel.pdf - FAA inspector's statement (item 3, PDF, 2 pages, 193 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17053501&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Inspector%20Statement%20v1_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Investigative photos (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 1.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17053954&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photos-Rel.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.