Amateur-built GLASAIR III SH-3R accident near Larchwood, Iowa, October 4, 1992
On October 4, 1992 at about 5:47 pm local time, a amateur-built GLASAIR III SH-3R, registered N330RM, was substantially damaged in an accident near Larchwood, Iowa. 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-IN-COMMAND'S INTENTIONAL LOW PASS AND HIS INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 4, 1992 · about 5:47 pm local time
- Place
- Larchwood, Iowa · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GLASAIR III SH-3R GLASAIR II
- Registration
- N330RM · registry record · serial 3153
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE AMATEUR BUILT AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED IN LOW LEVEL CRUISE FLIGHT OVER A HIGHWAY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK ELECTRIC TRANSMISSION WIRES STRETCHED ACROSS A ROAD AND CRASHED IN AN ADJACENT FIELD.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 848 hours in all; 124 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 17, 1992
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-P1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: FSD Sioux Falls SD
- Destination: FSD
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 120° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 66°F (19°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from FSD, 17 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.
Other NTSB records under N330RM the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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.