# NTSB MIA05LA150: Globe GC-1B, N2219S, Vero Beach, FL, August 13, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 2005, 11:19 local (15:19 UTC) - Place: Vero Beach, FL - Coordinates: 27.598888, -80.485557 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.5989&lon=-80.4856&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report March 26, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 62273 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA05LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62273/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA05LA150 ## Probable cause The partial loss of engine power for undetermined reasons resulting in the in-flight collision with trees during an emergency descent. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that the airplane had approximately 23 gallons of 100LL fuel in the main fuel tanks, and no water was found when he performed his preflight inspection. He performed an engine run-up before takeoff with no discrepancies noted. He applied full power for takeoff, and later reported the takeoff roll seemed slow, but he attributed this to the warm day and medium height grass. After clearing 2 tall trees at the departure end of the runway, the engine rpm dropped from 2,200 to 2,100. While descending, the airplane collided with trees then the ground. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed the fuel selector was positioned to "main". No evidence of water was found, and a total of 13 gallons of fuel were drained from the left main fuel tank. No fuel was found in the right main fuel tank. The mechanic who performed the postaccident fuel system inspection believed the fuel from the right main fuel tank drained into the left main fuel tank because of the resting position of the airplane. No obstructions were noted of the fuel delivery or vent system. Examination of the engine revealed no evidence of preimpact failure or malfunction. No determination was made as to the reason for the reported loss of engine power. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2005, about 1119 eastern daylight time, a Globe GC-1B, N2219S, registered to Swift N2219S Corporation, experienced a loss of engine power and collided with trees shortly after takeoff from Indian River Aerodrome, a private airstrip located in Vero Beach, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 local, personal flight from Indian River Aerodrome. The airplane was substantially damaged and the private-rated pilot, the sole occupant, sustained serious injuries. The flight originated about 1116, from Indian River Aerodrome. The pilot stated that the airplane was fueled last on July 18th, when the main fuel tanks were filled. A total of 19.38 gallons of 100 low lead (100LL) fuel were added. The airplane was then flown on a 12 minute flight to where it is based, and not flown or operated until the accident flight. Prior to the accident flight he performed a preflight inspection which included checking the fuel for water; none was found. After starting the engine he confirmed fuel and oil pressure, and taxied to runway 35 where he performed an engine run-up. During the run-up he checked the carburetor heat which indicated normal rpm drop, and also performed a check of the magnetos three times. The magneto check produced normal rpm decrease. He turned on the fuel boost pump, advised on the UNICOM frequency that the flight was departing from runway 35, applied full power, and began the takeoff roll with an estimated 23 gallons of fuel on-board. He applied forward pressure on the control yoke, raised the tail, then became airborne. He also reported that the takeoff roll was "...perhaps a little slow, but it was a warm day and the grass was of medium height." The flight continued and after clearing 2 tall trees at the end of the runway, he noticed the engine rpm dropped from 2,200 to 2,100. He initially verbally reported that the airplane kept sinking and mushing, veered to the left, and would not respond to right rudder input. The airplane collided with orange trees and after coming to rest, he escaped from the wreckage and called his wife for assistance on his cell phone. Preliminary examination of the airplane by the FAA inspector revealed the oil filler cap was secure, and the engine compartment was clean. The throttle control was noted to be binding, but the mixture control was noted to move OK. The fuel selector was found in the main position. During recovery of the airplane, the wings were removed. According to recovery personnel, no fuel was noted in either outboard fuel tank. Examination of the engine by an FAA airworthiness inspector on February 5, 2007, revealed crankshaft, camshaft, and valve train continuity. Clean lubricating oil was noted inside the engine. Suction and compression was noted in all cylinders, though the No. 2 cylinder was noted to be low but not quantified. The rocker boss cover of the No. 2 cylinder was removed, and valve and piston action was noted during rotation of the engine. Rotation of the engine by hand produced spark at all ignition leads of both magnetos, and all spark plugs exhibited color consistent with "...burning very clean." The spark plugs appeared to be recently cleaned and gapped, and there were no observed discrepancies with the ignition harness. The carburetor was separated from the engine above the carburetor bowl, but remained connected to the engine by the throttle and mixture control cables. Visual examination of the carburetor revealed the venturi was in-position. There were no broken fuel or oil lines in the engine compartment. Examination of the fuel pump revealed the screen was clean, and a small quantity of fuel was noted in the fuel pump cavity. Examination of the propeller revealed both blades were "...bent smoothly aft, with no rotational bending, and no leading edge damage." Examination of the wings revealed no damage to the fuel tanks in the wing panels. The fuel system of the airplane consists of 2 interconnected 13.9 gallon metal fuel tanks located within the center section of the airframe, or just outboard of each wing root (designated main tank), a 9-gallon tank located in the fuselage aft of the seats (designated fuselage reserve), and a 13 gallon fuel tank located in the outer portion of each wing (designated wing reserve). The outlet of each fuel tank located outboard of each wing root (main tank) connects to a common "sump", and the outlet of the sump connects to the fuel selector valve, which has a "main" position. The fuel from the outlet of the fuel selector valve flows through a filter, then to either an auxiliary or mechanical fuel pump, then to the carburetor. The fuel system was examined by an airframe and powerplant (A & P) mechanic with inspection authorization (IA) on February 8, 2007. Both wings were removed, and the airplane was leaning to the left. The left main fuel tank was nearly full; an estimated 13 gallons of 100LL fuel were drained from the tank. No fuel contaminants were noted. No fuel was noted in the right main fuel tank. The mechanic believed there was no fuel in the right main fuel tank because the tanks are interconnected and also the way the airplane was leaning. The auxiliary fuel pump and fuel strainer filters were both clean, and no obstructions were noted from either main fuel tank thru the fuel selector valve, then forward to the mechanical fuel pump. The fuel selector was examined and found to "...move firmly when turned from one station to another." The fuel vent lines were clear. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2219S](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2219S-2021-04-03), registration cancelled 2021-04-03, S/N 2219, 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 0-300 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-0-300-series) (registry code 17022, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2219 - Airframe hours: 2712.13 - Engines: Continental O-300D 145 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Austin M. Breining - Registered owner: Swift N2219S Corporation - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2005, 1.63 hours before - Departed: FL74, Vero Beach, FL - Destination: FL74, Vero Beach, FL - Airport: FL74, Indian River Aerodrome, runway 35, 2,600 × 200 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 72; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 1, 2005; seat: left; flight hours: 396 total, 68 in this make and model, 252 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KVRB ## 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 20050813022459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050813022459A), Aug 13, 2005: Swftms GC1B, Vero Beach, FL, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reported the engine would not develop full power on takeoff. Engine teardown will take place at a later date. 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.