Globe GC-1-A accident near Wilmington, Ohio, April 18, 1997
On April 18, 1997 at about 6:45 pm local time, a Globe GC-1-A, registered N80523, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wilmington, Ohio (Clinton Field). 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
failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in a collision with trees. Related factors were: the crosswind, and lack of experience in the make and model of airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 1997 · about 6:45 pm local time
- Place
- Wilmington, Ohio · Clinton Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Globe GC-1-A · all GC-1-As on the register
- Registration
- N80523 · registry record · serial 26
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that he was practicing crosswind landings on runway 20. He performed a three point landing, and during the roll-out, the airplane drifted off the right side of the runway into the wind. He applied full power to regain directional control, and raised the flaps. The airplane became airborne in ground effect, flew over the runway, and collided with trees off the left side. A witness said he observed the airplane land with a tailwind. When the airplane began to drift off the right side of the runway, the pilot applied full power, and the left wing tip almost touched the runway twice. At an airport 6 miles south, the winds were reported from 310 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 18 knots. The pilot reported over 586 hours of total flight experience, which included 3 hours in make and model. The pilot reported there was no mechanical malfunction with the airplane, and the accident could have been prevented with 'better pilot preparation.'
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: 586 hours in all; 3 in this make and model; 3 in the last 90 days; 3 in the last 30 days; 586 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,330 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, April 10, 1997; 30 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,570 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental C-90 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 19I Lebanon OH at 2:30 pm
- Destination: I66 OH
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 20, 3,500 ft by 65 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 10 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 52°F (11°C), dew point 21°F (-6°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:55 pm from ILN, 6 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.