# NTSB NYC04LA193: Globe Swift GC-1B, N78176, Wolfeboro, NH, August 14, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 14, 2004, 17:10 local (21:10 UTC) - Place: Wolfeboro, NH - Coordinates: 43.650001, -71.149444 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.6500&lon=-71.1494&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO-05 - NTSB case key (mKey): 59903 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59903/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA193 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind condition. The windshear was a contributing factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight encounter with weather, takeoff - weather condition - windshear (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, takeoff - object - tree(s) - In flight collision with terrain/water, takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis Runway 32 was 3,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and consisted of up-sloping turf with an approximate 5-degree gradient. The pilot stated that he usually departed on runway 14, but the winds were gusty, and favoring runway 32. During the takeoff roll, the airplane became airborne with approximately one-third of the runway remaining, and accelerated in ground effect. However, windshear caused the airplane to sink. With less than 1,000 feet of runway remaining, and large trees at the end, the pilot elected not to abort the takeoff. He banked right to avoid the large trees, but the airplane stuck smaller trees and came to rest in a field. The reported wind near the accident site was from the northwest at 4 knots. ## Factual narrative On August 14, 2004, about 1710 eastern daylight time, a Globe Swift GC-1B, N78176, was substantially damaged during a collision with trees, while departing from Mountain View Field (NH31), Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. The certificated airline transport pilot sustained minor injuries, and the passenger was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that runway 32 was 3,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and consisted of up-sloping turf. He usually departed on runway 14, but the winds were gusty, and favoring runway 32. During the takeoff roll, the pilot used an adjacent house as a "go/no-go" point. The airplane became airborne with approximately one-third of the runway remaining, and accelerated in ground effect. However, windshear caused the airplane to sink. With less than 1,000 feet of runway remaining, and large trees at the end, the pilot elected not to abort the takeoff. He banked right to avoid the large trees, but the airplane stuck smaller trees and came to rest in a field. The pilot did not report any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. The reported wind, about 10 miles west of the accident site, at 1715, was from 320 degrees at 4 knots. The reported wind, about 20 miles southeast of the accident site, at 1715, was from 310 degrees at 4 knots. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector noted that the runway had an up-sloping gradient of approximately 5 degrees. In addition, the airplane was equipped with a 125-horsepower engine and a cruise propeller. There were no applicable performance charts for the 1946 aircraft. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N78176](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78176), registered now, S/N 2176, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Globe Swift GC-1B - Registry model: [Globe GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230104) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C125 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c125-series) (registry code 17011, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2176 - Airframe hours: 2045 - Engines: Continental C-125 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter L. Fawcett - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 22, 2004, 2 hours before - Departed: NH31, Wolfeboro, NH - Destination: NH31 - Airport: NH31, Mountain View Field, runway 32, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; injuries: minor; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review March 11, 2004; seat: left; flight hours: 10,398 total, 60 in this make and model, 7,495 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: LCI, 10 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 20040814017359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040814017359A), Aug 14, 2004: Swftms GC1B, Wolfeboro, NH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot attempted takeoff into the wind. Aircraft became airborne at normal takeoff point but did not continue to climb. Aircraft struck tall brushes at… 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.