Globe GC-1B accident near Cottage Grove, Oregon, July 21, 2007
On July 21, 2007 at about 9:20 pm local time, a Globe GC-1B, registered N3867K, was substantially damaged in an accident near Cottage Grove, Oregon (Cottage Grove State Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The partial/momentary loss of engine power during the takeoff initial climb for undetermined reasons, and the pilot's failure to maintain an airspeed above stall speed while maneuvering following the loss of engine power. Contributing to the accident was the operation of the airplane at a weight above Maximum Certified Gross Weight.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 21, 2007 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- Cottage Grove, Oregon · Cottage Grove State Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Globe GC-1B · all GC-1Bs on the register
- Registration
- N3867K · no longer on the register · serial 3567
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplane was about 1,500 feet past the departure end of runway 15 in the takeoff initial climb when witnesses heard the engine cough and sputter. The engine rpm reportedly accelerated between the two or three times it coughed/sputtered, and soon thereafter the airplane's left wing dropped. Almost immediately after the wing dropped, the airplane rolled further to the left, and then descended below the tree line and impacted the surface of a small shallow pond about one-half mile from the departure end of the runway. The investigation found that prior to the February 2006 purchase of the 1948 Globe Swift by the current owner, the airplane was stored unused in a hangar for over 20 years. A number of inspections, adjustments, and component replacements were performed in order to prepare the airplane for an annual inspection, that was endorsed as having been completed on July 1, 2006. At the time of the accident, the airplane had been flown 5 hours since the annual inspection. Based on the occupant weights and the fuel load, the airplane was approximately 130 pounds over the maximum allowable gross weight. Extensive examination of the airframe and engine did not identify an anomaly or malfunction that would have contributed to the 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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 2,435 hours in all; 5 in this make and model; 45 in the last 90 days; 16 in the last 30 days
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,548 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 1, 2006; 0.5 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,710 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental C-125-2 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 61S Cottage Grove OR at 9:20 pm
- Destination: 61S
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 15, 3,188 ft by 60 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 7,500 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 59°F (15°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 10:54 pm from EUG, 22 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.