# NTSB MKC87LA063: Glasair SH2, N67SH, Springdale, AR, March 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 21, 1987, 12:49 local (18:49 UTC)
- Place: Springdale, AR
- Coordinates: 36.179584, -94.140075 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.1796&lon=-94.1401&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34353
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA063
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34353/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA063

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

IMMEDIATELY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AND THEN THE TERRAIN. INSPECTION REVEALED CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL TANK, THE LINES AND THE FILTER. CONTAMINATION WAS WATER, DIRT, STRAW AND GRAVEL. THE FUEL BEING USED WAS REGULAR AUTOMOTIVE FUEL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N67SH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GLASAIR SH2
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 436
- Airframe hours: 64
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Sheril Helton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 1986
- Airport: H37, Municipal, runway 18, 5,300 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 189 total, 64 in this make and model, 126 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19870321007189A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870321007189A), Mar 21, 1987: Amtr GLASAIR, Springdale, AR, Destroyed. The engine failed shortly after takeoff. The aircraft hit trees on landing. Water and debris in fuel system.

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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