# NTSB FTW02LA041: Globe GC-1B, N3209K, Marion, TX, November 22, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 22, 2001, 10:40 local (16:40 UTC) - Place: Marion, TX - Coordinates: 29.569007, -98.139404 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5690&lon=-98.1394&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 1, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 53807 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW02LA041 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53807/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW02LA041 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadvertent stall during takeoff, which resulted in a loss of control and the airplane colliding with a fence and a tree. A contributing factor was his lack of experience in the make and model of aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with object, descent - uncontrolled - object - fence - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During the initial takeoff climb from the 3,000-foot grass runway, the airplane veered to the left toward a building and trees. The private pilot stated that he "may have stalled the [air]plane," since his pilot-rated passenger reported that the airplane had a "sharp, left wing drop stall." The airplane then impacted and continued through a chain link fence and impacted a tree. The pilot had not flown this make and model aircraft before and had accumulated a total of 126.2 flight hours. The pilot reported that he had obtained his tail-wheel endorsement 13 days prior to the accident. Examination of the aircraft and engine revealed no evidence of any anomalies. ## Factual narrative On November 22, 2001, at 1040 central standard time, a Globe GC-1B tail-wheel equipped airplane, N3209K, was substantially damaged when it impacted a fence and a tree during takeoff from the Zuehl Airport, Marion, Texas. The airplane was registered to and operated by the pilot. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the pilot-rated passenger received serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The flight was originating at the time of the accident and was destined for a private airstrip near Eagle Pass, Texas. According to the pilot's written statement, he arrived at the airport, inspected the airplane, added 43 gallons of fuel, and sumped the fuel tanks twice. The pilot taxied to the end of the 3,000-foot grass runway and conducted an engine run-up by applying power to 1,700 rpm, checking the magnetos and carburetor heat, and cycling the propeller. The pilot completed the takeoff checklist and entered the runway for takeoff. As the airplane rolled down the runway, he noticed that the airplane was heading toward the left side of the runway. He applied right rudder to straighten the airplane. The pilot reported that the airplane traveled down the runway "a long way," and he checked that the throttle, propeller, and mixture controls were in the full forward position. The airspeed indicator read 65 mph, and the airplane felt "light on the wheels," so the pilot pulled back on the control stick. The airplane veered to the left toward a building and trees. The pilot added that he "may have stalled the [air]plane," since his passenger reported that the airplane had a "sharp, left wing drop stall." The airplane then impacted and continued through a chain link fence and impacted a tree, where it came to rest upright. The pilot "turned off all switches (fuel pump, master, ignition)" and exited the airplane. The airplane sustained structural damage to its fuselage and wings. According to the pilot, the airplane had not flown in 1.5 years and had undergone an annual inspection on November 20, 2001. According to the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot had never flown this make and model aircraft before and had accumulated a total of 126.2 flight hours. The pilot reported that he had obtained his tail-wheel endorsement in a Citabria 7ECA aircraft on November 9, 2001. Examination of the aircraft and engine by the FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, revealed no evidence of any anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3209K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3209K-2018-05-03), registration cancelled 2018-05-03, S/N 1202, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Globe GC-1B - Registry model: [Globe GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1202 - Airframe hours: 2571.4 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-AID 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: John W. Saunders III - Registered owner: John W. Saunders Jr. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 20, 2001, 0 hours before - Departed: 1TE4, San Antonio, TX - Destination: 6TA4, Eagle Pass, TX - Airport: 1TE4, Zuehl Airport, runway 17, 3,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review November 13, 2001; seat: left; flight hours: 126 total, 0 in this make and model, 88 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 1,600 ft overcast - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: SSF, 15 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 20011122031079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011122031079A), Nov 22, 2001: Swftms GC1B, Marion, TX, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 22, 2001, at 1040 central standard time, a globe GC-1B tail-wheel equipped airplane, N3209K, was substantially damaged when it impacted a… ## Other investigations on N3209K (1) 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. - [NTSB DFW05FA204](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DFW05FA204), Aug 6, 2005: Globe GC-1B (N3209K), Cypress, TX, substantial damage, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. 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.