Amateur-built GLASAIR II accident near River Ranch, Florida, September 25, 1999
On September 25, 1999 at about 3:30 pm local time, a amateur-built GLASAIR II, registered N55BP, was substantially damaged in an accident near River Ranch, Florida. 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
A total loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, which resulted in a forced landing to non-suitable terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 1999 · about 3:30 pm local time
- Place
- River Ranch, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built GLASAIR II
- Registration
- N55BP · no longer on the register · serial 2281
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Upon arrival at his destination airport, the pilot entered the traffic pattern for landing. When engine power was reduced, the engine started to sputter. The pilot increased power, turned the boost pump on, and changed the fuel selector valve with negative results. He informed UNICOM that he would be unable to make the runway. A local highway was obstructed due to vehicle traffic and a forced landing was conducted to a marshy area. Examination of the engine assembly and accessories did not reveal the cause of engine roughness or subsequent total loss of engine power.
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; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 484 hours in all; 312 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 484 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 550 hours
- Last inspection: continuous airworthiness programme, January 10, 1999; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,200 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming IO-360 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LAL Lakeland FL at 2:45 pm
- Destination: 2RR
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 1,500 ft; not recorded
- Temperature: 86°F (30°C), dew point 79°F (26°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:53 pm from LAL
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.