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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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April 13, 2000 · Hartline Glastar · N897G

Woodstock, AL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 13, 2000
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Location
Woodstock, AL
Aircraft
Hartline Glastar
Tail Number
N897G
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA00LA132

About 30 minutes after refueling, and at a cruise altitude of about 2,000 feet, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart the engine during the forced landing. The engine failed to restart; the airplane glided short of intended off-airport landing area, and struck the top of a tree. After striking the tree the airplane went nose first into a marshy area. The engine was equipped with a dual electronic ignition, controlled by a computer in conjunction with a computer driven fuel compensation unit. The electronic equipment was damaged beyond testing capability. The factory representative for the engine company stated, '...that he believed the malfunction was the result of one or more computers.' Due to impact damage to the electronic components, the cause of the engine failure was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

a total engine failure for undetermined reason, resulting in a forced landing and subsequent impact with a tree.

Full Narrative

On April 13, 2000, about 1610 central standard time, a homebuilt Hartline Glastar, N897G, owned by a private individual impacted with trees during a forced landing near Woodstock, Alabama. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. The airplane was substantially damaged. The two private-rated pilots reported serious injuries. The flight had departed Sylacauga, Alabama, at 1630, en route to Paducah, Kentucky. According to the FAA inspector's statement, "...the pilot was flying at cruise flight for about 30 minutes after refueling...at approximately 2,000 feet, the engine failed. The pilot attempted to restart during a glide to [a] suitable landing area. The engine failed to restart, aircraft glided short of intended off-airport landing area, struck the top of a tree...." After striking the tree the airplane went nose first into a marshy area. In addition, the inspector stated, "...this engine has a dual electronic ignition controlled by a computer in conjunction with a computer driven fuel compensation unit. The electronic equipment was damaged beyond our testing capability and the aircraft and engine were released...with follow-up by the factory...the factory rep [sic] for NSI [engine]...stated that he believed the malfunction was the result of one or more computers. This accident had undetermined causes...."

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:10 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHartline Glastar
Tail NumberN897G
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsNsi · EJ25 · Reciprocating · 190
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 serious injuries)
Fatal0
Serious2
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 67 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility10 sm
CeilingOvercast 2900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point66 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data