Amateur-built GLASAIR I accident near Columbus, Georgia, May 2, 2012
On May 2, 2012 at about 11:15 am local time, a amateur-built GLASAIR I, registered N540GZ, was substantially damaged in an accident during takeoff (rejected takeoff) near Columbus, Georgia (Columbus Metropolitan Airport). It was a personal flight 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 failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in a runway excursion and collision with a runway sign. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of experience in the airplane make and model, resulting in and his failure to use the recommended flap setting for takeoff.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 2, 2012 · about 11:15 am local time
- Place
- Columbus, Georgia · Columbus Metropolitan Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GLASAIR I
- Registration
- N540GZ · no longer on the register · serial 208
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot was attempting to take off in an experimental tailwheel-equipped airplane. He stated that the airplane started to accelerate forward on the takeoff roll and pull to the left while he had right rudder applied. The engine hesitated, and he applied more right rudder and full right brake with no results. He aborted the takeoff and applied both brakes to slow the airplane. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and collided with a runway sign; the left main landing gear collapsed, which resulted in structural damage to the airframe. The pilot reported that he had 0.1 hour in the accident airplane make and model. Examination of the wreckage, including the brakes, did not reveal any preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. The engine was subsequently test run at full throttle and no anomalies were noted. The airplane owner’s manual indicated that for takeoff, the flaps should be set at 20 degrees and that power should be added slowly to allow airspeed to build and the controls to become effective by the time full power is achieved. Examination of the wreckage revealed that the flaps were in the retracted position. The pilot’s lack of experience in the airplane make and model and unfamiliarity with its operating procedures contributed to his failure to use the recommended flap setting for takeoff.
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
- Loss of control on ground during takeoff (rejected takeoff) defining event
- Runway excursion during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
- Landing gear collapse during takeoff (rejected takeoff)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge › Experience/qualifications › Total experience in position › Pilot
- factor Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Use of policy/procedure › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; single-engine sea
- Flight time: 2,524 hours in all; 0 in this make and model; 32 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days; 2,524 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: December 29, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 84 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 15, 2012; 20 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,800 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-540-E4B5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CSG Columbus GA at 11:14 am
- Destination: MGM Montgomery AL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 6,997 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 am from CSG
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.