# NTSB MIA00LA132: Hartline Glastar, N897G, Woodstock, AL, April 13, 2000 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 13, 2000, 16:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Woodstock, AL - Coordinates: 33.15945, -87.170928 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1594&lon=-87.1709&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48948 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA00LA132 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48948/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA00LA132 ## Probable cause a total engine failure for undetermined reason, resulting in a forced landing and subsequent impact with a tree. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise - 1 engine - undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) - terrain condition - swampy ## Analysis About 30 minutes after refueling, and at a cruise altitude of about 2,000 feet, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart the engine during the forced landing. The engine failed to restart; the airplane glided short of intended off-airport landing area, and struck the top of a tree. After striking the tree the airplane went nose first into a marshy area. The engine was equipped with a dual electronic ignition, controlled by a computer in conjunction with a computer driven fuel compensation unit. The electronic equipment was damaged beyond testing capability. The factory representative for the engine company stated, '...that he believed the malfunction was the result of one or more computers.' Due to impact damage to the electronic components, the cause of the engine failure was not determined. ## Factual narrative On April 13, 2000, about 1610 central standard time, a homebuilt Hartline Glastar, N897G, owned by a private individual impacted with trees during a forced landing near Woodstock, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The two private-rated pilots reported serious injuries. The flight had departed Sylacauga, Alabama, at 1630, en route to Paducah, Kentucky. According to the FAA inspector's statement, "...the pilot was flying at cruise flight for about 30 minutes after refueling...at approximately 2,000 feet, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart during a glide to [a] suitable landing area. The engine failed to restart, aircraft glided short of intended off-airport landing area, struck the top of a tree...." After striking the tree the airplane went nose first into a marshy area. In addition, the inspector stated, "...this engine has a dual electronic ignition controlled by a computer in conjunction with a computer driven fuel compensation unit. The electronic equipment was damaged beyond our testing capability and the aircraft and engine were released...with follow-up by the factory...the factory rep [sic] for NSI [engine]...stated that he believed the malfunction was the result of one or more computers. This accident had undetermined causes...." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N897G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N897G-2003-05-02), registration cancelled 2003-05-02, S/N 8-5245, built 1997 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HARTLINE GLASTAR - Registry model: [Hartline John Bon GLASTAR](https://openairdocs.org/model/hartline-john-bon-glastar) (registry code 05604RZ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 8-5245 - Engines: NSI EJ25 190 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John Bon Hartline - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Unknown, September 11, 1999 - Departed: SCD, SYLACAUGA, AL - Destination: PAH, PADUCAH, KY ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 3,100 total, 29 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft overcast - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TCL ## 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 20000413008579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000413008579A), Apr 13, 2000: Amtr GLASTAR, Woodstock, AL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot flying at cruise flight for approx. 30 minutes after refueling. Engine failed, pilot attempted restart during glide to suitable landing area.… 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.