# NTSB MIA91LA108: Glassair SH-2TD, N59BH, Bay St. Louis, MS, March 24, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1991, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Bay St. Louis, MS
- Coordinates: 30.270847, -89.479942 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2708&lon=-89.4799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA91LA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA91LA108

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF POWER DUE TO VAPOR LOCK OF THE FUEL SYSTEM ON TAKEOFF. CONTRIBUTING TO THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT WAS THE IMPROPER DECISION OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO ATTEMPT TO TAKE OFF WITH KNOWN DEFICIENCIES IN THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - powerplant - surge
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- Overrun, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND ATTEMPTED A TAKEOFF WITH AN ERRATIC AND DECLINING FUEL PRESSURE. THE ENGINE WAS HOT FROM A PREVIOUS FLIGHT AND WAS USING AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.  THE ENGINE BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH AND SURGING AFTER LIFTOFF AND THE PILOT REDUCED THROTTLE AND ATTEMPTED TO LAND ON THE REMAINING 500 FT OF RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE OVERRAN THE END OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59BH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N59BH-2014-12-03), registration cancelled 2014-12-03, S/N 144 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLASSAIR SH-2TD
- Registry model: [Herron King D GLASAIR](https://openairdocs.org/model/herron-king-d-glasair) (registry code 05655JK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 144
- Airframe hours: 597
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Herron, King D
- Registered owner: Herron, King D
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 1991, 4 hours before
- Destination: PCU, PICAYUNE, MS
- Airport: 3R6, Stennis, runway 35, 8,500 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,465 total, 613 in this make and model, 2,273 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MCB, 31 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 19910324007479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910324007479A), Mar 24, 1991: Amtr GLASAIR, Bay St Louis, MS, Substantial damage. Engine surged on takeoff. Aborted. Landed near end runway,ran off. Nosed over. Used auto fuel with ethanol additive

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.

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