Amateur-built GlaStar accident near Hearne, Texas, August 28, 2025
On August 28, 2025 at about 11:00 pm local time, a 2022 amateur-built GlaStar, registered N605MN, was substantially damaged in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near Hearne, Texas (Hearne Municipal airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The inflight engine compartment fire for reasons that could not be determined.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 28, 2025 · about 11:00 pm local time
- Place
- Hearne, Texas · Hearne Municipal · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GlaStar, built 2022
- Registration
- N605MN · registry record · serial 5368
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that about 30 minutes into the local flight, he heard some crackling in the radio reception and then the cockpit flight displays went blank. The engine stumbled and lost power completely. The pilot was operating the airplane in the airport traffic pattern at that time and decided to secure the engine to set up for a forced landing to the runway. Smoke began entering the cockpit during the landing flare, and then the pilot noticed flames on the right side of the airplane. After he stopped the airplane, he exited, obtained a fire extinguisher, and called the fire department. The airplane sustained substantial fire damage to the fuselage, empennage, and engine mounts. A postaccident examination revealed extensive thermal damage to the engine and within the engine compartment. The damage extended into the cockpit and cabin area, and then along the right side to the aft fuselage. While clear that the fire started within the engine compartment, the extent of the damage prevented a determination of the exact location and source of the fire.
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
- Fire/smoke (non-impact) during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 13,500 hours in all; 165 in this make and model; 165 in the last 90 days; 50 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: October 9, 2024
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 158 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, November 15, 2024; 10 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,960 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E2D (piston); 2,158 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Gause TX at 10:30 pm
- Destination: LHB Hearne TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 4,001 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 140° at 7 knots, gusting 2
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 72°F (22°C)
- Altimeter: 29.88 inHg
- Observation at 6:15 pm from KLHB
Weather report (METAR): METAR KLHB 282315Z AUTO 14007KT 10SM FEW070 FEW085 36/22 A2988
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Photographs from the investigation 5 pictures from the NTSB's docket, as the NTSB released them
Photograph 1 – Accident airplane (FAA photo)
Photograph 2 – Accident airplane (FAA photo)
Photograph 3 – Accident airplane (FAA photo)
Photograph 4 – Engine (FAA photo)
Photograph 5 – Engine (FAA photo)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
4 documents, released by the NTSB on November 20, 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, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Investigation Photos | PDF, 6 pages · our copy | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Maintenance Records | PDF, 3 pages | 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.