# NTSB FTW88FA103: Globe GC-1B, N78143, Powderly, TX, May 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 17, 1988, 19:16 local (May 18, 1988, 00:16 UTC)
- Place: Powderly, TX
- Coordinates: 33.769691, -95.52967 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.7697&lon=-95.5297&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW88FA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88FA103

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - roll/run
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor float - deteriorated (contributing factor)
  - maintenance,annual inspection - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - initiated, pilot in command (cause)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE HAD NOT BEEN FLOWN FOR MORE THAN SEVEN MONTHS. IT DID NOT HAVE A CURRENT ANNUAL INSPECTION. WITNESSES SAID THE PILOT RAN THE ENGINE AND IT RAN ROUGH. THEN HE WASHED THE AIRPLANE, THEN REFUELED, DRAINED THE SUMPS AND RAN THE ENGINE AGAIN AT THE END OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPORT MANAGER SAID HE THOUGHT THE PILOT WAS ONLY GOING TO MAKE A HIGH SPEED TAXI BECAUSE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING SO BAD. THE AIRPLANE LIFTED OFF BUT DID NOT CLIMB. IT HIT A TREE, THEN A HIGH VOLTAGE POWER LINE, THEN THE TERRAIN AND A PORCH OF A HOUSE AND STARTED BURNING. SOME SPARK PLUGS WERE DIRTY AND WATER WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR FLOAT CHAMBER. THE PLASTIC CARBURETOR FLOAT WAS CRACKED OPEN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78143](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N78143-2013-05-09), registration cancelled 2013-05-09, S/N 2143, 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 C125 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c125-series) (registry code 17011, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2143
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-145 145 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Richard M. Maginn
- Registered owner: Donald R. Young
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1986
- Departed: 44F
- Airport: 44F, Powderly, runway 17, 2,945 × 38 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: left; flight hours: 350 total, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F

## 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 19880517016689A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880517016689A), May 17, 1988: Univac STCGC1, Powderly, TX, Destroyed. Rough engine on run up then power loss on takeoff. Hit tree before crashing and burning. Had faulty carburetor.

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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