Pilot Debrief

GLASAIR SHA near Greenville, NC — 2018-08-18

Final reportERA18LA224
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Date
2018-08-18
Location
Greenville, NC, USA
Airport
PGV
Aircraft
GLASAIR SHA
Registration
N38WS
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Climb

Probable cause

A total loss of engine power for reasons that could not be determined based on the available information. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s misjudgment of the airplane’s glidepath during the forced landing, which resulted in the airplane touching down short of the runway.

NTSB narrative

While the airplane was climbing through 3,000 ft mean sea level (msl), the engine began running roughly and the fuel flow rate slowed. Shortly after reaching 3,500 ft msl, the engine lost total power. The pilot attempted a forced landing at a nearby airport; however, while in a spiral descent to land, he misjudged the airplane’s glidepath and landed in grass short of the runway. The airplane impacted a drainage ditch, resulting in substantial damage. A detailed examination of the engine and components was not conducted and the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Engine power loss
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have returned to airport after first signs of engine roughness.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 5 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents5

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