Globe GC-1B accident near Calistoga, California, September 16, 1984
On September 16, 1984 at about 10:30 pm local time, a Globe GC-1B, registered N80504, was substantially damaged in an accident near Calistoga, California (Calisyoga Airpark airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. 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
- September 16, 1984 · about 10:30 pm local time
- Place
- Calistoga, California · Calisyoga Airpark · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Globe GC-1B · all GC-1Bs on the register
- Registration
- N80504 · no longer on the register · serial 80504
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE STARBOARD ENTRANCE HATCH OPENED DURING TAKEOFF ROLL. THE PILOT ABORTED THE TAKEOFF. THE ACFT COULD NOT BE STOPPED ON THE REMAINING RWY & COLLIDED WITH A DITCH. THE TAKEOFF WAS ATTEMPTED WITH A LIGHT TAILWIND ON A UNIDIRECTIONAL RWY.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,515 hours in all; 105 in this make and model; 108 in the last 90 days; 32 in the last 30 days; 771 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,300 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 31, 1984
- Maximum gross weight: 1,710 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Continental O-300 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 058 Calistoga CA at 10:30 pm
- Destination: PAO Palo Alto CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 10, 2,600 ft by 20 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 97°F (36°C), dew point 55°F (13°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 9:45 pm from STS, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.