# NTSB LAX91FA209: Universal Globe GC-1B, N42WW, Chandler, AZ, May 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1991, 17:58 local (May 12, 1991, 00:58 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.320671, -111.870658 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3207&lon=-111.8707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Emergency descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/600) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26999
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91FA209
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26999/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA209

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED IN A FORCED LANDING RESULTING IN AN IN FLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL, STALL, AND SUBSEQUENT IN FLIGHT COLLIISON WITH TERRAIN. FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PROCEDURE WHICH RESTULED IN A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER ON VFR APPROACH DUE TO FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, descent - emergency
  - fluid,fuel - starvation
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT WAS COMPLETING A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT.  A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE'S WINGS BEGIN TO OSCILLATE AND THEN THE AIRPLANE NOSED STRAIGHT DOWN INTO AN OPEN FIELD. THE INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF ANY PRE-EXISTING AIRFRAME OR ENGINE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILURES. BOTH AUXILIARY FUEL TANKS WERE EMPTY, BUT THE MAIN FUEL TANK WAS NEARLY 1/4 FULL. THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS SELECTED TO THE MAIN TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42WW](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N42WW), registered now, S/N 3688 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: UNIVERSAL GLOBE GC-1B
- Registry model: [Universal GLOBE GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/universal-globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental IO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-io-360-series) (registry code 17025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3688
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360-D 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Michael J. Brant
- Registered owner: Gordon D. Brown
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1991, 9 hours before
- Departed: UDD, BERMUDA DUNES, CA
- Airport: P10, Chandler, runway 22, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,377 total, 59 in this make and model, 2,277 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19910511015279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910511015279A), May 11, 1991: Univac STCGC1, Chandler, AZ, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Too slow on final,wobbled,stalled,and crashed. On checkout in newly purchased aircraft.

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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