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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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NTSB Report

March 5, 1988 · Galloway XTC · N3969C

Lowell, MI

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 5, 1988
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Lowell, MI
Aircraft
Galloway XTC
Tail Number
N3969C
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI88DEM02

THE PILOT OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM SOME 'PATTERN FLIGHTS' WHEN, AFTER TURNING ON TO THE BASE LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO 'DEAD STICK' THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RUNWAY, BUT ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED WERE NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH FOR THE AIRCRAFT TO REACH THE RUNWAY. SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SOME TREES APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BURNED BEARING WHICH HAD ROTATED IN THE CRANKCASE.

Full Narrative

THE PILOT OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PERFORM SOME 'PATTERN FLIGHTS' WHEN, AFTER TURNING ON TO THE BASE LEG OF THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO 'DEAD STICK' THE AIRCRAFT TO THE RUNWAY, BUT ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED WERE NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH FOR THE AIRCRAFT TO REACH THE RUNWAY. SUBSEQUENTLY THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SOME TREES APPROXIMATELY 100 FEET SHORT OF THE RUNWAY. INVESTIGATION REVEALED A BURNED BEARING WHICH HAD ROTATED IN THE CRANKCASE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 EST
Nearest AirportLOWELL (0nm N)
Runway24
Runway Length1850 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGalloway XTC
Tail NumberN3969C
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsRotax · 447 · Reciprocating · 43
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind250° @ 10 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point30 C / 23 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:10
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data