Globe GC 1B accident near Hedgesville, West Virginia, May 14, 2016
On May 14, 2016 at about 5:10 pm local time, a 1947 Globe GC 1B, registered N78193, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Hedgesville, West Virginia (Green Landings 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 airplane control when it encountered a wind gust during climbout.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 14, 2016 · about 5:10 pm local time
- Place
- Hedgesville, West Virginia · Green Landings 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 NO SERIES, built 1947 · all GC 1Bs on the register
- Registration
- N78193 · registry record · serial 2193
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercial pilot indicated that he purchased the airplane the day of the accident. Before departure, he conducted an airplane run-up and taxied to the runway for takeoff; the takeoff was uneventful, and engine indications were normal. However, the airplane encountered an uncommanded roll at an altitude of about 100 ft above ground level. He attempted to level the wings but was unsuccessful. The nose of the airplane pitched down, and the airplane collided with the ground. A witness who watched the run-up before takeoff stated that a runway windsock indicated a gusting crosswind (with a slight tailwind component); he then observed what seemed like a rapid aileron input during the takeoff, and the airplane stalled. Postaccident examination of the engine and flight controls revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. Thus, it is likely that the pilot was unable to regain control of the airplane when the airplane encountered a wind gust.
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
- Other weather encounter during initial climb
- Loss of control in flight 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 › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 980 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 300 in the last 90 days; 100 in the last 30 days; 760 as pilot in command; 550 on instruments
- Last flight review: June 20, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: serious injuries
Passenger
- Seat: rgt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,162.2 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 2, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 1,970 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320 SERIES (piston); 1,783 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: WV22 Hedgesville WV at 5:10 pm
- Destination: OMN Ormond Beach FL
- Flight plan: IFR
- Runway 03, 2,600 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 290° at 13 knots, gusting 22
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Sky: overcast at 6,000 ft; scat at 4,900 ft
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.75 inHg
- Observation at 4:53 pm from HGR, 13 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
6 documents, released by the NTSB on November 4, 2019. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 10 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot's Statement | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 3 | FAA Inspector's Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 4 | Witness Statements | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Weather Reports and Records | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 6 | Photo | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.