Amateur-built Glastar accident near Pierce, Nebraska, June 7, 2003
On June 7, 2003 at about 12:45 pm local time, a amateur-built Glastar, registered N109BZ, was substantially damaged in an accident near Pierce, Nebraska (Private Strip airport). It was a flight test 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
The pilot's operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in equipment and his selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the overtemperature of the engine cooling system, the long grass, and the collapse of the nose landing gear strut.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 7, 2003 · about 12:45 pm local time
- Place
- Pierce, Nebraska · Private Strip · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Glastar
- Registration
- N109BZ · registry record · serial 5782
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight test · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane nosed over during a precautionary landing to a meadow near a grass airstrip. The pilot reported he entered the downwind leg and the engine temperature rose to 260 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot stated he "had a choice [to] continue around the pattern with an overheating engine, or land immediately." The pilot decided to land the airplane in a grass meadow rather than on the mowed grass airstrip. During landing rollout, the nose gear subsequently became stuck in the grass and nosed over. The airplane had 8.6 hours of total flight hours since receiving a FAA airworthiness certificate. The pilot noted he had experienced problems with the engine cooling system prior to the accident flight. Engine and control surface continuity was confirmed. The reason for the high engine temperature was not determined. The pilot stated, "In hindsight, I wish I wouldn't have flown with a questionable engine."
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 267 hours in all; 9 in this make and model
- Last flight review: April 22, 2003
- Medical certificate: Class 3
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 8.6 hours
- Maximum gross weight: 1,960 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Subaru EJ251AXWAB-61 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Pierce NE at 12:20 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 02, 2,000 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 55°F (13°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 29.87 inHg
- Observation at 12:54 pm from OFK, 14 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.