Amateur-built SHA-GLASAIR accident near Saint James, Minnesota, July 12, 2024
On July 12, 2024 at about 10:30 am local time, a 1986 amateur-built SHA-GLASAIR, registered N3EC, was destroyed in an accident during approach near Saint James, Minnesota (St James Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
An in-flight bird strike which resulted in an engine compartment fire that ultimately destroyed the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 2024 · about 10:30 am local time
- Place
- Saint James, Minnesota · St James Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built SHA-GLASAIR, built 1986
- Registration
- N3EC · registry record · serial 484R
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was on approach to land when he saw birds in his peripheral vision and then heard and felt them impact his airplane. The pilot landed, taxied to the runup pad, and shut down the engine because he smelled something burning. After exiting the airplane, he saw smoke. The pilot used the on-board fire extinguisher in an attempt to extinguish the engine compartment fire but was unsuccessful, and the fire subsequently destroyed 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
- Birdstrike during approach defining event
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during landing
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Animal(s)/bird(s) › Effect on equipment
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 22,973 hours in all; 665 in this make and model; 185 in the last 90 days; 74 in the last 30 days; 12,123 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 29, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,107 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, July 12, 2023
- Maximum gross weight: 2,100 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-320 (piston); 2,107 hours total
- Fire in flight and on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: KFRM Farimont MN at 10:15 am
- Destination: KJYG St James MN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 3,999 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 160° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 9 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 64°F (18°C), dew point 64°F (18°C)
- Altimeter: 30.06 inHg
- Observation at 6:35 am from KJYG
Weather report (METAR): METAR KJYG 121135Z AUTO 16005KT 8SM CLR 18/18 A3006
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 2 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
The NTSB's photographs with the NTSB's captions, at screen size. Open a picture to see it full size or to report one that should not be shown.
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
2 documents, released by the NTSB on January 10, 2025. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 11 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Photos | PDF, 3 pages · our copy | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.