Globe GC-1B accident near Clyo, Georgia, September 18, 2010
On September 18, 2010 at about 4:57 pm local time, a Globe GC-1B, registered N3348K, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Clyo, Georgia (Briar Patch Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to maintain a proper aircraft pitch attitude during the takeoff roll, which allowed the tailwheel to contact the grass runway and increase drag on the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 18, 2010 · about 4:57 pm local time
- Place
- Clyo, Georgia · Briar Patch Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Globe GC-1B · all GC-1Bs on the register
- Registration
- N3348K · registry record · serial 1341
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were departing in a tailwheel-equipped airplane from the grass runway. The pilot reported that the engine lost power after the airplane broke ground with the runway. He pulled back on the control yoke to avoid striking departure end trees head-on; however, the airplane collided with the trees past the departure end of the runway. The passenger reported a lack of acceleration during the initial climb, that the engine rpm was about 2,650 to 2,700, and engine sounds were normal. A video taken of the takeoff roll indicated that the pilot allowed the tailwheel to drop back down and contact the grass for about three seconds before the video ended. The engine sound on the video was consistent with normal engine operation. A postaccident examination of the engine and airframe did not reveal any evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure.
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
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action performance › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,434 hours in all; 150 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days
- Last flight review: January 1, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,647 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 8, 2010; 49 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,710 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 SER (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 9GA1 Clyo GA at 4:57 pm
- Destination: 9GA2 Midway GA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 34, 2,600 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 18,000 ft; scat at 3,600 ft
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 70°F (21°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from SAV, 21 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.