Globe GC-1B accident near Marion, Texas, June 26, 1983
On June 26, 1983 at about 3:30 pm local time, a Globe GC-1B, registered N7BL, was substantially damaged in an accident near Marion, Texas (Zuehl airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- June 26, 1983 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- Marion, Texas · Zuehl · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Globe GC-1B · all GC-1Bs on the register
- Registration
- N7BL · registry record · serial 105
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH FENCES DURING A FORCED LANDING AFTER AN ENGINE FUEL FIRE. THE LEFT EXHAUST PIPE FAILED AND THE MISDIRECTED HEAT BURNED THROUGH A FUEL LINE. THE FUEL IGNITED FILLING THE COCKPIT WITH SMOKE. THE ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION AND THE PLT WAS FORCED TO LAND OFF THE ARPT.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,300 hours in all; 1,300 in this make and model; 18 in the last 90 days; 1,200 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (expired)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,500 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 15, 1982
- Maximum gross weight: 1,710 lb
- Seats: 3
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-A1D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: HOU Houston TX
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 17, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 180° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 3,000 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 | 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.