# NTSB LAX92LA026: Glassair III, N121ST, Scottsdale, AZ, October 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 27, 1991, 09:09 local (16:09 UTC)
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.610652, -111.889152 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.6107&lon=-111.8892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 27, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27487
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX92LA026
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27487/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX92LA026

## Probable cause

THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS DECISION TO FLY INTO KNOWN FORECAST WEATHER CONDITIONS SPECIFICALLY PROHIBITED BY THE AIRPLANE'S OWNER'S MANUAL AND DECISION TO ALLOW AN UNQUALIFIED PILOT WITH LIMITED INSTRUMENT FLIGHT EXPERIENCE TO OCCUPY THE LEFT SEAT BEHIND THE FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS WHICH SUBSEQUENTLY RESULTED IN A INFLIGHT LOSS OF CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S INADEQUATE SUPERVISION OF THE UNQUALIFIED PILOT.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, climb
  - weather condition - rain
  - preflight briefing service - disregarded, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - high wind
  - flight into known adverse weather - performed, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - weather condition - lightning (contributing factor)
  - flight manuals - disregarded, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - proper climb rate - not maintained, unqualified person (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly

## Analysis

A GLASAIR III COLLIDED WITH MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AFTER AN INFLIGHT ENCOUNTER WITH KNOWN FORECAST ADVERSE WX CONDITIONS. THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING OPERATED UNDER IFR. THE CFI/PIC STATED TO THE CONTROLLER THAT SHE WAS ENCOUNTERING AIRPLANE CONTROL PROBLEMS.  THE CONTROLLER HEARD A COMMENT EMANATING FROM THE AIRPALNE ON THE TRACON FREQUENCY STATING 'LOSING CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT' BEFORE RADAR AND RADIO CONTACT WAS LOST. RAIN SHOWERS AND LIGHTNING WERE FORECASTED BY THE WX SERVICE BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. A WITNESS AT THE ACCIDENT SITE REPORTED, HIGH WINDS, RAIN SHOWERS AND LIGHTNING AT TIME OF ACCIDENT. THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT CERTIFIED FOR IFR FLIGHT. THE AIRPLANE'S OWNER'S MANUAL PROHIBITED FLIGHT IN CONDITIONS THAT WOULD EXPOSE THE AIRPLANE TO THE POSSIBILITY OF A LIGHTNING STRIKE.  THE NONINSTRUMENT RATED SECOND PILOT WAS SEATED IN THE LEFT SEAT IN FRONT OF THE FLIGHT INSTRUMENTS. THE SECOND PILOT HAD NEVER FLOWN ACTUAL INSTRUMENTS AND HAD ONLY FLOWN 4 HOURS OF SIMULATED INSTRUMENT FLIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N121ST](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N121ST-1992-02-27), registration cancelled 1992-02-27, S/N 3157 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASSAIR III
- Registry model: [Hacker Stephen W GLASAIR III](https://openairdocs.org/model/hacker-stephen-w-glasair-iii) (registry code 05691AU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 3157
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-P1A5 325 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hacker, Steven W.
- Registered owner: Hacker, Steven W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: FFZ, MESA, AZ
- Destination: ABQ, ALBURQUERQUE, NM
- Flight plan: VFR/IFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,500 total, 1,250 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft overcast
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FFZ, 10 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 19911027047989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911027047989A), Oct 27, 1991: Amtr GLASAIR, Scottsdale, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Flew into area of thunderstorms with heavy rain,turbulence and lightning. Lost control. Not certified for IFR.

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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