# NTSB NYC83LA007: Globe Swift GC-1B, N50BS, Elmira, NY, October 10, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 10, 1982, 10:00 local (14:00 UTC)
- Place: Elmira, NY
- Location: 42.1599° N, 76.8917° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ELMIRA/CORNING RGNL (ELM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1599&lon=-76.8917&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 10, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70584
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70584/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83LA007

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - window,flight compartment window/windshield - separation (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

DURING TAKEOFF, THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE CANOPY SEPARATED FROM THE AIRCRAFT AS IT WAS CLIMBING THROUGH ABOUT 150 TO 200 FT AGL. THE PILOT NOTIFIED THE TOWER OF THE SITUATION AND CLEARANCE WAS OBTAINED TO LAND ON ANY RUNWAY. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, HE TURNED CROSSWIND TOO SOON AND BEGAN A DOWNWIND TOO CLOSE-IN WHILE AVOIDING GLIDER OPERATIONS. SUBSEQUENTLY, HE BEGAN A TIGHT 180 DEGREE TURN FROM A LOW DOWNWIND TO FINAL APPROACH. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING THE TURN, THE AIRCRAFT "BEGAN TO FALL OUT OF THE SKY." HE ADDED FULL POWER AND STATED THAT PARTIAL CONTROL WAS ACHIEVED OVER A TAXIWAY. HE ELECTED TO CHOP THE POWER AND LAND. THE AIRCRAFT LANDED HARD IN A 3 POINT ATTITUDE AND WAS DAMAGED. THE PILOT BELIEVED THAT THE FRONT CANOPY PIN WAS ENGAGED BEFORE TAKE- OFF (IT WAS VISUALLY CHECKED). HOWEVER, HE NOTED THAT THE REAR PIN WAS LOCATED OUTSIDE. HE RECOMMENDED A MORE PRUDENT CHECK OF THE CANOPY ATTACHMENT (FRONT AND REAR PINS). HE HAD INSTALLED A NEW WEATHER SEAL AT THE REAR HATCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50BS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50BS), registered now, S/N 1118, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: GLOBE SWIFT GC-1B (SWIFT GC-1)
- Registry model: [Globe GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/globe-gc-1b) (registry code 9230104) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C145 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c145-series) (registry code 17012, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1118
- Airframe hours: 2280
- Engines: CONTINENTAL O-300-D reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Roland J. Zavada
- Registered owner: Roland J. Zavada
- Departed: ELM, ELMIRA, NY
- Destination: 6G3, PALMYRA, NY
- Airport: ELM, Chemung Co., runway 24, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,028 total, 245 in this make and model, 2,239 as pilot in command, 77 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 140 °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 19821010055719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821010055719A), Oct 10, 1982: Univac GC1B, Elmira, NY, Substantial damage. Canopy tore off and separated from aircraft. During hard landing aircraft substained 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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