# NTSB MIA92FA108: Globe GC1-B, N90379, Miami, FL, April 9, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: April 9, 1992, 12:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Miami, FL
- Coordinates: 25.650386, -80.490478 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=25.6504&lon=-80.4905&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32982
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92FA108
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32982/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92FA108

## Probable cause

AN ABRUPT PITCH UP MANEUVER DURING ACROBATIC FLIGHT RESULTING IN AN OVERLOAD FAILURE OF THE RIGHT WING SPAR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
  - wing,spar - overload
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT PILOT-IN-COMMAND AND COMMERCIAL PILOT PASSENGER DEPARTED KENDALL-TAMIAMI EXECUTIVE AIRPORT, MIAMI, FLORIDA, ON A VFR PERSONAL FLIGHT. VFR CONDITIONS PREVAILED AND NO FLIGHT PLAN WAS FILED. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE AIRPLANE TRAVELING WESTBOUND AT ABOUT 200 FEET AGL. THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO CONDUCT AN UNCOORDINATED AILERON ROLL TO THE RIGHT. UPON COMPLETION OF THE AILERON ROLL, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED TO CONDUCT AN ABRUPT PITCH UP MANEUVER, SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND DESCENDED TAIL LOW. AN INCREASE IN ENGINE POWER WAS HEARD, THE AIRPLANE STARTED A RIGHT TURN, THE NOSE OF THE AIRPLANE DROPPED TO A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE, AND THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED BELOW THE TREE LINE. ANOTHER WITNESS STATED HE HEARD A 'POP-POP' SOUND FOLLOWED BY A LARGE BANG. THE WITNESS LOOKED UP AND SAW THE AIRPLANE TRAVELING EASTBOUND SPINNING TO THE RIGHT IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. A SEPARATE LARGE PART WAS OBSERVED DESCENDING TO THE GROUND AS THE AIRPLANE DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW BELOW THE TREE LINE. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED. THE AIRLINE TRANSPORT PIC, AND COMMERCIAL PILOT PASSENGER WERE FATALLY INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90379](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90379-1992-08-04), registration cancelled 1992-08-04, S/N 393 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLOBE GC1-B
- Registry model: [Globe GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 393
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6AS-350A 235 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: D'Arcy, John J.
- Registered owner: D'Arcy, John J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: AAIP, January 10, 1992
- Departed: TMB, MIAMI, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 81; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: invalid medical for flight; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 25,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TMB, 6 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 19920409009289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920409009289A), Apr 9, 1992: Univac GC1B, Miami, FL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Snap rolled at 200 feet pitched up shook descended tail low. Spinning to impact. Right wing separated due overload.

## Other investigations on N90379 (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 MIA88LA175](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA175), May 22, 1988: Globe GC1-B (N90379), Miami, FL, 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.

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