# NTSB LAX97LA158: Devendorf Glassair GL25, N28BD, Congress, AZ, April 13, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 1997, 11:54 local (18:54 UTC) - Place: Congress, AZ - Coordinates: 33.900936, -112.900772 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.9009&lon=-112.9008&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29771 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29771/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA158 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to recover from an inverted stall/spin prior to impact with the ground. The reason for the loss of control was not determined. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause) - visual/aural perception, pilot in command - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis Two witnesses, one of whom is a pilot, both stated that they observed the aircraft when it was approximately 1,000 feet agl until impact, and that it appeared to be in an inverted spin. After observing the crash site, an FAA airworthiness inspector stated that the aircraft appeared to have contacted the ground in an inverted attitude with little or no forward velocity. The postcrash examination did not disclose any preexisting flight control, fuel, or engine systems malfunctions or mismanagement. Also, the toxicological results did not disclose any impairment of the pilot. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 1997, at 1154 hours mountain standard time, a Devendorf Glassair GL25, N28BD, was destroyed when it impacted the ground in the vicinity of Congress, Arizona. The private pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injures. The flight originated at the Eagle Roost Airport, Aguilla, Arizona, on the day of the accident about 1140 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight. Two witnesses, one of whom is a pilot, both stated that they observed the aircraft when it was approximately 1,000 feet agl until impact, and that it appeared to be in an inverted spin during that time. An airworthiness inspector from the Scottsdale, Arizona, Flight Standards District Office, went to the accident site and examined the wreckage and engine. In his report, the inspector said that the aircraft appeared to have contacted the ground in an inverted attitude with little or no forward velocity. The inspector noted that no airworthiness discrepancies were noted with either the engine or airframe during the examination. The pilot's medical certificate had expired almost 2 years prior to the date of the accident. The pilot's logbook was not located to ascertain his total flight hours and time in the aircraft, or to determine if he had any prior instruction in spin recovery techniques. The forensic toxicology report from the FAA Civil Aeronautical Medical Institute stated that no controlled substances or other debilitating drugs were found. It was not possible to test for carbon monoxide or cyanide due to lack of suitable specimens. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N28BD](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28BD-2017-06-07), registration cancelled 2017-06-07, S/N 3065, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: DEVENDORF GLASSAIR GL25 (GLASSAIR G) - Registry model: [Devendorf Bryan K GLASAIR III SH3R](https://openairdocs.org/model/devendorf-bryan-k-glasair-iii-sh3r) (registry code 05691FD) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-series) (registry code 41530, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 3065 - Engines: Lycoming IO-540-K1G5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Fire: On-Ground - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Bryan K. Devendorf - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 17, 1997, 3 hours before - Departed: 7E0, AGUILLA, AZ ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,600 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 30° at 10 knots - Visibility: 65 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: PHX, 66 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 19970413005749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970413005749A), Apr 13, 1997: Amtr GLASAIRIII, Congress, AZ, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed inverted flat spin to impact. No anomailies found. How or why the homebuilt entered inverted spin unknown. 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.