Amateur-built GLASTAR accident near Beckley, West Virginia, May 21, 2022
On May 21, 2022 at about 2:40 pm local time, a 2010 amateur-built GLASTAR, registered N171JV, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (flare/touchdown) near Beckley, West Virginia (Raleigh County Memorial Airpor airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 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 control of the airplane while landing in gusting wind conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 21, 2022 · about 2:40 pm local time
- Place
- Beckley, West Virginia · Raleigh County Memorial Airpor · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GLASTAR, built 2010
- Registration
- N171JV · no longer on the register · serial 5916
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The private pilot was attempting to land on the runway in gusty wind conditions. During the landing flare, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and it climbed back into the air and yawed. The pilot increased engine power and added right rudder input in an attempt to correct the airplane’s heading, but the airplane subsequently departed the runway surface and struck an embankment. During the excursion the empennage separated from the fuselage and the landing gear collapsed, resulting in substantial damage to the airframe. The pilot did not report that there were any preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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
- Runway excursion during landing (flare/touchdown) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Wind › Gusts › Response/compensation
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Pitch control › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 317 hours in all; 11 in this make and model; 1 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: October 27, 2020
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 331 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, April 23, 2022; 1 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,960 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Superior O-360 SERIES (piston); 331 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: PVT Dawswon WV at 1:50 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 28, 5,001 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 8 knots, gusting 17
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 10:51 am from BKW
Weather report (METAR): METAR KBKW 211451Z AUTO 24008G17KT 10SM CLR 26/16 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP188 T02560161 51009=
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
3 documents, released by the NTSB on January 5, 2023. 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 Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | FAA Inspectors Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Photo Array_airplane Damage and Accident Site | PDF, 2 pages | 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.