# NTSB LAX97LA303: Fleming Glassair III, N77DF, Dunsmuir, CA, November 14, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 14, 1996, 05:05 local (13:05 UTC) - Place: Dunsmuir, CA - Coordinates: 41.310482, -122.319808 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3105&lon=-122.3198&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29885 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA303 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29885/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA303 ## Probable cause was the pilot's intentional flight into marginal meteorological conditions in mountainous terrain during dark nighttime conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, climb - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor) - light condition - dark night (contributing factor) - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor) - vfr flight into imc - initiated, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The noninstrument-rated pilot departed before daylight in mountainous terrain under an overcast sky. The pilot did not file a flight plan nor obtain a formal weather briefing. When he failed to arrive at his destination a search was initiated. The aircraft was located 9 months later, about 4.5 miles south of the departure point in mountainous terrain. According to a sheriff's investigator, the engine was buried below the ground surface and the airplane was very fragmented. ## Factual narrative On November 14, 1996, about 0505 hours Pacific standard time, an experimental Fleming Glassair III, N77DF, was destroyed after colliding with terrain near Dunsmuir, California. The pilot received fatal injuries. While the meteorological conditions at the time of the accident are unknown, patchy early morning fog was forecast for the general area. The pilot did not file a flight plan for the personal cross-country flight. According to the resident Dunsmuir-Mott airport manager, the flight originated at Dunsmuir-Mott Airport about 0500 on the morning of the accident and was destined for Palm Springs, California. When the aircraft failed to arrive at Palm Springs, a ground and air search was initiated with negative results. On August 25, 1997, the aircraft wreckage was located at latitude 41 degrees 12 minutes 14 seconds north, and longitude 122 degrees 14 minutes 20 seconds west in mountainous terrain about 3,500 feet msl and 4.5 miles south of the Dunsmuir-Mott Airport. According to a sheriff's investigator, the engine was buried below the surface of the ground and the airplane was fragmented into many pieces. The pilot had been issued a private pilot certificate on June 8, 1995. The pilot's flight logbook was recovered at the accident site. According to the readable portions of the logbook, at the last documented log entry dated November 11, 1996, he had about 339 flight hours. The nearest weather reporting facility for the accident site was Mount Shasta. An automated weather observation recorded at 0456 was: wind variable at 4 knots; visibility 10 miles; sky overcast at 4,400 feet agl; temperature 33 degrees Fahrenheit; dew point 32 degrees Fahrenheit; and the altimeter was 30.10 inHg. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N77DF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77DF-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 3202, built 1991 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FLEMING GLASSAIR III (GLASSAIR I) - Registry model: [Fleming Don G GLASAIR III](https://openairdocs.org/model/fleming-don-g-glasair-iii) (registry code 056559B) (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: 3202 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steve R. Williams - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, June 22, 1996 - Departed: 106, DUNSMUIR-MOTT, CA - Destination: PSP, PALM SPRINGS, CA ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 399 total, 10 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark - Wind: 0° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 4,400 ft overcast - Temperature: 34 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KMH, 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 19961114045779A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961114045779A), Nov 14, 1996: Amtr GLASAIRIII, Dunsmuir, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicates pilot lost control in IMC spiral dive impact. 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.