Amateur-built GLASTAR GS-1 accident near Grand Rapids, Minnesota, June 25, 2013
On June 25, 2013 at about 9:45 pm local time, a amateur-built GLASTAR GS-1, registered N103A, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing near Grand Rapids, Minnesota. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of directional control during landing because the autopilot engaged for undetermined reasons because water and recovery damage precluded detailed examination of system components.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 25, 2013 · about 9:45 pm local time
- Place
- Grand Rapids, Minnesota · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GLASTAR GS-1
- Registration
- N103A · no longer on the register · serial 5328
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Prior to takeoff from the airport pond, the pilot performed a few high-speed taxi and on-the-step maneuvers with no anomalies noted. After the flight and during the short flight to the intended landing area, the pilot heard two to three aural "autopilot disconnect" voice messages. Because the pilot believed he did not engage the autopilot during the flight, he was uncertain why he was hearing the autopilot disconnect messages and was not overly concerned. During the landing, after the floats contacted the water, the airplane's right wing immediately lifted up, and the left wing tip contacted the water. Subsequently, the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported the weather at the time of the accident as ideal for flying; sky clear and a steady 5-knot wind. Data extracted from the avionics units showed 9 autopilot engagements during the flight; however, the data did not show what caused the inadvertent engagements. It is likely the autopilot engaged during the attempted landing and caused the loss of directional control, but the reason for the autopilot engagement was not determined due to damage to the avionics system caused by water exposure and recovery damage.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Abnormal runway contact during landing defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft systems › Auto flight system › Autopilot system › Malfunction
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, commercial pilot, flight engineer, military
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 10,000 hours in all; 40 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 18 in the last 30 days; 9,800 as pilot in command; 50 on instruments
- Last flight review: August 15, 2012
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 453 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, August 15, 2012; 23 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-360 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: GPZ Grand Rapids MN at 9:05 pm
- Destination: Grand Rapids MN
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 135° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 84°F (29°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.