# NTSB LAX98LA034: Globe GC-1B, N3232K, Los Angeles, CA, November 8, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 8, 1997, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Los Angeles, CA - Coordinates: 34.249832, -118.410682 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2498&lon=-118.4107&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 28, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29994 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA034 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29994/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA034 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of directional control due to an inadvertent ground loop resulting from a deflated tire. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,tire - failure,total (cause) - landing gear,tire - cut/severed (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - attempted, pilot in command - Abrupt maneuver, landing - roll - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis During touchdown the right tire blew out. Despite application of full left brake, the pilot lost directional control and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. Thereafter, the conventional main landing gear collapsed and the left wing broke upon contacting the runway. The FAA examined the airplane and reported observing that the right main tire had an 8-inch-long circumferential laceration in the center tread groove. No evidence of pronounced weather checking was observed. The tire was about 9 years old. ## Factual narrative On November 8, 1997, about 1030 hours Pacific standard time, a Globe GC 1-B, N3232K, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage during a ground loop on runway 12 at the Whitman Airport, Los Angeles, California. Neither the private pilot nor the passenger was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed during the local area personal flight which originated from the airport about 1010. The pilot reported that during the normal touchdown the right tire blew out. Despite application of full left brake, directional control was lost and the airplane veered off the right side of the runway. Thereafter, the conventional main landing gear collapsed and the left wing broke upon contacting the runway. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) coordinator examined the airplane. According to the FAA, the right main tire had an unusual 8-inch cut in the center tread groove that was circumferential in nature. No evidence of pronounced weather checking was reported. The tire was about 9 years old. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3232K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3232K), registered now, S/N 1225, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Globe GC-1B - Registry model: [Globe GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1225 - Airframe hours: 2040 - Engines: Continental O-300A 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Allan & Bonnie Erickson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1997, 22 hours before - Departed: WHP - Destination: WHP - Airport: WHP, Whitman, runway 12, 4,120 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 393 total, 224 in this make and model, 393 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 15 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: WHP ## 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 19971108040869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971108040869A), Nov 8, 1997: Swftms GC1B, Los Angeles, CA, Substantial damage. On November 8, 1997, about 1030 hours pacific standard time, a globe gc 1-B, N3232K, owned and operated by the pilot, sustianed substantial damage during a… ## Other investigations on N3232K (1) 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. - [NTSB CHI67F0265](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI67F0265), Aug 20, 1966: Globe GC-1B (N3232K), Gladwin, MI, substantial damage 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.