Globe GC-1B accident near Afton, Minnesota, March 2, 2024
On March 2, 2024 at about 3:42 pm local time, a 1948 Globe GC-1B, registered N2387B, was destroyed in an accident during enroute (climb to cruise) near Afton, Minnesota (Lake Elmo airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 2, 2024 · about 3:42 pm local time
- Place
- Afton, Minnesota · Lake Elmo · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Globe GC-1B, built 1948 · all GC-1Bs on the register
- Registration
- N2387B · registry record · serial 3687
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The two pilots departed on a personal cross-country flight in the airplane. ADS-B data showed that about 5 minutes after takeoff, the airplane climbed to about 2,550 ft msl on a south heading before it slowed to about 52 kts ground speed. The data then showed a rapid descent that exceeded 5,000 ft per minute before the data ended. The airplane was equipped with dual flight controls; however, it could not be determined which pilot was manipulating the controls at the time of the accident. Postaccident examination of the airframe revealed that the right control stick was disconnected from the stick base, and no corresponding bolt or nut was located within the wreckage. If the right control stick became disconnected during the flight, it would have prevented the right-seat pilot from controlling the airplane; however, the left-seat pilot would have retained full flight control capability. Witnesses located adjacent to the accident site reported hearing an airplane engine operating at varying power settings, followed by the sound of impact. However, aside from the disconnected control stick, postaccident examination of the airframe and engine revealed no evidence of any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation, and propeller signatures indicated that the engine was operating at the time of impact. Due to extensive fire and impact damage, not all airplane systems could be examined or tested in detail. Wreckage and impact signatures were consistent with a flat-spin impact with terrain. No evidence suggested that pilot impairment or incapacitation contributed to the accident. Based on the available evidence, the investigation could not determine the reason the pilot lost control of the 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
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during enroute (climb to cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Angle of attack › Capability exceeded
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,242.3 hours in all; 1,000 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: June 5, 2022
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
Pilot-Rated Passenger
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 517 hours in all; 156.3 in this make and model; 0 in the last 90 days; 0 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: BasicMed (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,772.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 22, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 1,970 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 SERIES (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: 21D Lake Elmo MN at 3:37 pm
- Destination: KGDB Granite Falls MN
- Flight plan: none
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 150° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 45°F (7°C), dew point 34°F (1°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 am from KSTP, 11 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KSTP 021553Z 15010KT 10SM CLR 07/01 A2987 RMK AO2 SLP116 T00670011
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number CEN24FA125.