Event ERA18TA222

Factual narrative

On August 17, 2018, about 1600 eastern daylight time, a Globe GC-1B, N80932, was substantially damaged when it impacted terrain after a partial loss of engine power during the initial climb at the Wellington Aero Club Airport (FD38), Wellington, Florida. The airline transport pilot sustained serious injuries and the passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane was operated by the pilot as a personal flight conducted under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. According to the pilot, during the preflight inspection he noticed a wind from the east about 5 knots, gusting to 9 knots. He taxied to runway 16, performed a runup that did not produce any abnormalities, and began the takeoff roll. During the ground roll, the pilot reported that he noticed a "slower acceleration" and had to use "more right brake to maintain directional control." Subsequently, the airplane lifted off and about 50 ft above ground level (agl), the airplane experienced a "hard yaw to the left due to a crosswind" and "[aerodynamic] stall indications." The pilot reduced the pitch, and the airplane impacted a ditch parallel to the runway. The fuselage and wings sustained substantial damage. The pilot reported that the engine experienced a partial loss of power during the takeoff. Postaccident examination of the airplane by an airframe and powerplant mechanic, found that during an engine compression test, each cylinder was found to be in a normal range, with exception to the number 3 cylinder, which measured 10/80. Further examination of the cylinder's intake valve exhibited hardened carbon deposit buildup on the valve stem. The intake valve was cleaned and reinstalled, where the number 3 cylinder's compression was measured at 78/80. There were no other anomalies found with any other engine component. According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airman records, the pilot held an airline transport pilot certificate with a rating for airplane multi-engine land and a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single-engine land and sea. He was issued a first-class medical certificate in July 2017. The pilot reported 22,937 total flight hours and 50 hours in the accident make and model airplane. According to the FAA airworthiness records, the airplane was powered by a Continental O-300-A, 145-horsepower engine. It was equipped with retractable landing gear in the tailwheel configuration and had 2-seats. The most recent annual inspection was completed in February 2018. The weather conditions reported at 1553 at Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), West Palm Beach, Florida, about 11 miles east of FD38, included wind 080° at 10 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, scattered clouds at 3,000 ft agl, temperature 31°C, and dew point 24°C. During the airplane's initial climb in crosswind conditions for the personal flight, the engine experienced a partial loss of power, and the airline transport pilot reported that the airplane entered an aerodynamic stall. He attempted to lower the nose of the airplane, but with insufficient altitude, the airplane impacted a ditch parallel to the runway, which resulted in substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine's No. 3 cylinder had low compression, and the No. 3 intake valve had hardened carbon deposit buildup on its stem. After the valve was cleaned and reinstalled, the engine compression returned to the normal range. It is likely that, during the initial climb, the intake valve stuck intermittently due to the carbon deposit buildup, which resulted in the partial loss of engine power and the airplane's inability to climb. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database Retrieved: 2026-02-12

NTSB Findings

Hierarchical cause / factor breakdown from the FAA bulk avdata database. Each finding tagged C (Cause) or F (Factor).

• C Aircraft-Aircraft power plant-Engine (reciprocating)-Recip eng cyl section-Malfunction - C
• — Environmental issues-Physical environment-Terrain-(general)-Contributed to outcome