Amateur-built Glassair III accident near Manassas, Virginia, June 26, 2009
On June 26, 2009 at about 8:44 pm local time, a amateur-built Glassair III, registered N2YT, was substantially damaged in an accident during emergency descent near Manassas, Virginia (Manassas Regional airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control while attempting an emergency landing after takeoff. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection and distraction due to a separated fuel cap in flight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 2009 · about 8:44 pm local time
- Place
- Manassas, Virginia · Manassas Regional · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Glassair III
- Registration
- N2YT · no longer on the register · serial 3120
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot/owner stated that he conducted a "thorough pre-flight inspection" of the experimental amateur-built airplane, which was fully fueled for the accident flight. Engine start, taxi, and all other preflight activities were unremarkable. Just after takeoff from the controlled airport, the passenger noticed fuel venting as the right wing fuel cap had separated from the filler neck, and he informed the pilot of his observation. The pilot requested an emergency landing on the departure runway, in the direction opposite the takeoff direction. The two tower controllers saw the airplane start to turn, and then descend "fast" into trees just beyond the airport. Total flight duration was approximately 1 minute. The pilot told investigators that the airplane handled "erratically" due to the venting fuel, and that he "decided to perform a forced off field landing." Postaccident examination revealed that the fuel caps and filler necks were not placarded in accordance with the kit manufacturer's guidance concerning cap orientation. Subsequent testing of the right main fuel cap did not reveal any anomalies. Available evidence did not support the pilot's perception that the fuel venting constituted an extremely time-critical situation that rapidly resulted in a significant fuel imbalance, and a lateral control problem. The pilot's response to the fuel venting resulted in his preoccupation with requesting and executing an immediate return to the airport.
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
- Aircraft inspection event during prior to flight
- Part(s) separation from AC during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight during emergency descent defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Inspection › Preflight inspection › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Task monitoring/vigilance › Pilot
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Placards and markings › (general) › Not specified
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 175 hours in all; 60 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 363 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 9, 2009
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: HEF Manassas VA at 8:44 pm
- Destination: HWY Warrenton VA
- Flight plan: VFR
- Runway 16L, 5,700 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 220° at 4 knots
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,000 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 68°F (20°C)
- Altimeter: 29.70 inHg
- Observation at 8:55 pm from HEF, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.