Globe Swift GC-1B accident near Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, August 14, 2004
On August 14, 2004 at about 9:10 pm local time, a Globe Swift GC-1B, registered N78176, was substantially damaged in an accident near Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (Mountain View Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind condition. The windshear was a contributing factor.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 14, 2004 · about 9:10 pm local time
- Place
- Wolfeboro, New Hampshire · Mountain View Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Globe Swift GC-1B
- Registration
- N78176 · registry record · serial 2176
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
Runway 32 was 3,000 feet long, 100 feet wide, and consisted of up-sloping turf with an approximate 5-degree gradient. The pilot stated that he usually departed on runway 14, but the winds were gusty, and favoring runway 32. During the takeoff roll, the airplane became airborne with approximately one-third of the runway remaining, and accelerated in ground effect. However, windshear caused the airplane to sink. With less than 1,000 feet of runway remaining, and large trees at the end, the pilot elected not to abort the takeoff. He banked right to avoid the large trees, but the airplane stuck smaller trees and came to rest in a field. The reported wind near the accident site was from the northwest at 4 knots.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: glider; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 10,398 hours in all; 60 in this make and model; 40 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 7,495 as pilot in command; 1,832 on instruments
- Last flight review: March 11, 2004
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,045 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 22, 2004; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,710 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental C-125 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NH31 Wolfeboro NH at 10:10 pm
- Destination: NH31
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 32, 3,000 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 75°F (24°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 9:15 pm from LCI, 10 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.