ERA18LA224

Factual narrative

On August 18, 2018, about 1950 eastern daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Glasair SH, N38WS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Greenville, North Carolina. The private pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot departed on the cross-country flight and while climbing the airplane through 3,000 ft mean sea level (msl), he noticed that the engine began to run rough; the fuel flow, which was normally “11 to 12, was around 8” gallons per hour. He continued to climb and as he approached 3,500 ft msl, the engine completely “quit.” The pilot spiraled the airplane down to a nearby airport; however, during the last turn to the runway, the airplane was too low. He subsequently landed in the grass short of the runway, where the airplane impacted a drainage ditch before coming to rest. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed that the main landing gear was collapsed, which damaged the underside of the fuselage and wings. Review of the airplane’s maintenance records revealed that an engine overhaul was completed about 716 flight hours before the accident flight and 90 hours since the last condition inspection. No additional examination of the engine was conducted. 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. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

FAA avdata. C = Cause, F = Factor.

• — Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (reciprocating)-(general)-Unknown/Not determined
• — Aircraft-Aircraft oper/perf/capability-Performance/control parameters-Descent/approach/glide path-Not attained/maintained
• — Personnel issues-Action/decision-Info processing/decision-Decision making/judgment-Pilot