# NTSB FTW85LA185: Globe GC-1B, N80577, Liberty, TX, April 16, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 16, 1985, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Liberty, TX
- Coordinates: 30.039951, -94.790298 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0400&lon=-94.7903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21723
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA185
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21723/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA185

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - emergency
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT EXPERIENCED AN INFLIGHT PARTIAL LOSS OF PWR AFTER WHICH HE SHUT OFF THE MASTER SWITCH, AND THE FUEL VALVE AND ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING ON A NEARBY ARPT. HOWEVER, THERE WAS INSUFFICIENT ALT TO CLEAR A POWERLINE. A STEEP TURN WAS MADE AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80577](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80577-2020-07-10), registration cancelled 2020-07-10, S/N 80, 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: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 80
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-D2 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wilbert L. Penfold
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility
- Last inspection: Annual, August 28, 1984
- Departed: BMT, BEAUMONT, TX
- Airport: T78, Liberty Muni

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 868 total, 685 in this make and model, 868 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 40 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 19850416012509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850416012509A), Apr 16, 1985: Univac GC1B, Liberty, TX, Substantial damage. Engine ran rough and vibrated badly. Shut down engine, landed short of runway. Power loss cause unknown, auto fuel.

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.

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