Amateur-built GLASAIR accident near Midlothian, Texas, May 24, 2014
On May 24, 2014 at about 3:49 pm local time, a 1985 amateur-built GLASAIR, registered N4VX, was destroyed in an accident during initial climb near Midlothian, Texas (Eagle'S Nest Estates Airport). 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 pilot’s failure to maintain lateral control during the initial climb. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s failure to obtain sufficient training and experience to operate the high-performance airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 24, 2014 · about 3:49 pm local time
- Place
- Midlothian, Texas · Eagle'S Nest Estates Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GLASAIR, built 1985
- Registration
- N4VX · no longer on the register · serial 301
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that, during the initial climb, the high-performance airplane's left wing dropped and that the airplane then turned toward the left side of the runway. The pilot applied corrective control inputs but was unsuccessful in regaining airplane control. The airplane subsequently impacted the ground; a postcrash fire ensued, which destroyed the airplane. Postaccident examination of the airplane confirmed flight control continuity. The pilot stated that he did not have enough time, training, or experience to be flying the high-performance airplane.
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
- Loss of control in flight during initial climb defining event
- Abnormal runway contact during initial climb
- Attempted remediation/recovery during uncontrolled descent
- Collision during takeoff/land during takeoff
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Lateral/bank control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › (general) › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Training › (general) › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 580 hours in all; 14 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 2 in the last 30 days; 580 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: October 25, 2013
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,140 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 4, 2014
- Maximum gross weight: 1,600 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 (piston); 580 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 2TS5 Midlothian TX at 3:59 pm
- Destination: JWY Midlothian TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,200 ft by 32 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 77°F (25°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observation at 2:53 pm from GKY, 13 miles away
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.