# NTSB FTW96LA331: Scott Glass Goose, N96GG, Aubrey, TX, August 2, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 2, 1996, 12:36 local (17:36 UTC) - Place: Aubrey, TX - Coordinates: 33.299877, -96.979446 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2999&lon=-96.9794&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 18, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 19932 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW96LA331 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/19932/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW96LA331 ## Probable cause The owner/builder's design change resulting in in-flight flutter of the flaperon, which led to the fuel tank rupture and separation of the flaperon. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering - flight control,aileron - flutter (cause) - maintenance,design change - performed, owner/builder (cause) - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, emergency descent/landing - fuel system,tank - ruptured - fluid,fuel - starvation - Loss of control - in flight, emergency landing - flight control,aileron - separation - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The experimental airplane was on its fifth flight. The pilot reported that about 15 minutes into the accident flight the airplane 'experienced flutter and began loosing altitude.' A few seconds before the forced landing, the engine lost power. The pilot reported that the airplane was controllable until the loss of engine power. The airplane impacted the ground in a 'yawed' attitude and tumbled, coming to rest in an inverted position. During the final approach for the forced landing, the upper right flaperon had departed the aircraft approximately 300 yards before the impact site. According to the pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane, he believed the flutter to be the result of his 'increasing the size of the flaperons from the designer's original design without a corresponding increase in the strength of the control system elements.' Contributing to this was the fact that the flaperons had not been balanced. Postcrash examination of the airplane revealed that the in-flight flutter had caused the upper right wing's fuel tank to rupture, and fuel had been spilled down the right side of the airplane. The fuel selector at the time of the accident was on the 'Right Upper' tank. ## Factual narrative On August 02, 1996, at 1236 central daylight time, a Scott Glass Goose, N96GG, owned and operated by a private owner, was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a primary control surface structural failure near Aubrey, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. A flight plan was not filed for the local flight that originated at Lake Dallas, Texas, at approximately 1215. The experimental airplane was on its fifth flight. According to the pilot, the prior four flights were without incident. The pilot reported that about 15 minutes into the accident flight, the airplane, "experienced flutter and began loosing altitude." The pilot elected to land the airplane in a field. A few seconds before the landing, the engine lost power. The pilot reported that the airplane was controllable until the loss of engine power. The airplane impacted the ground in a "yawed" attitude and tumbled, coming to rest in an inverted position. All wings of the bi-winged airplane were broken, and the fuselage was substantially damaged. After the accident, the pilot discovered that during the final approach for the forced landing, the upper right flaperon had departed the aircraft approximately 300 yards before the impact site. According to the pilot, who was also the builder of the airplane, he believed the flutter to be the result of his "increasing the size of the flaperons from the designer's original design without a corresponding increase in the strength of the control system elements." Contributing to this was the fact that the flaperons had not been balanced. Post crash examination of the airplane revealed that the in flight flutter had caused the upper right wing's fuel tank to rupture, and fuel had been spilled down the right side of the airplane. The fuel selector at the time of the accident was on the "Right Upper" tank. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N96GG](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N96GG-2021-01-30), registration cancelled 2021-01-30, S/N 0002 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Scott GLASS GOOSE (GLASS GOOS) - Registry model: [Scott Thomas W GLASS GOOSE](https://openairdocs.org/model/scott-thomas-w-glass-goose) (registry code 05603KX) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1002 - Airframe hours: 4 - Engines: Lycoming O-320B3B 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Thomas W. Scott - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 28, 1996, 4 hours before - Departed: 30F, LAKE DALLAS, TX ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,093 total, 473 in this make and model, 1,093 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 5 knots - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 99 °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 19960802026019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960802026019A), Aug 2, 1996: Amtr GLASSGOOSE, Aubrey, TX, Substantial damage. Lower right flaperon fatled. Departed homebuilt. Nosed over landing in farm field. (-23) lower right flapperon failed at 1800 ft. MSL and was partially… 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.