Amateur-built Glasair III accident near Cheyenne, Wyoming, April 7, 2008
On April 7, 2008 at about 9:30 pm local time, a amateur-built Glasair III, registered CGGTM, was substantially damaged in an accident during enroute (cruise) near Cheyenne, Wyoming. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's improper decision to continue VFR flight into instrument meteorological weather conditions. Contributing to the accident were low ceilings, snow and whiteout conditions.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 7, 2008 · about 9:30 pm local time
- Place
- Cheyenne, Wyoming · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built Glasair III
- Registration
- CGGTM · no longer on the register · serial 3262
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The non instrument-rated private pilot departed under visual flight rules (VFR) for a planned cross country flight over mountainous terrain. During the cruise phase of the flight, the pilot was receiving radar flight following service. As the flight progressed, due to clouds, the pilot requested a lower altitude from the air traffic controller who was working the flight. Radar data showed that the airplane descended from the original cruise altitude, then performed a series of turns while continuing to descend prior to radar contact being lost. A witness located adjacent to the accident site reported hearing an airplane fly overhead at a low altitude followed by the sounds of the airplane impacting the ground. The witness added that at the time he heard the airplane fly over, visibility was around 100 to 150 feet with near "whiteout" conditions due to heavy snow falling. Examination of the airframe and engine revealed no mechanical anomalies.
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
What happened, in order
- VFR encounter with IMC during enroute (cruise) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering
The NTSB's findings
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Low ceiling › Not specified
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Snow › Not specified
- factor Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena › Ceiling/visibility/precip › Whiteout › Not specified
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Action › Incorrect action selection › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: foreign licence, private
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land
- Flight time: 246 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 309 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 1, 2008
- Maximum gross weight: 2,500 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming IO-540-K1A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: KGEY Greybull WY at 8:15 pm
- Destination: KLQR Larned KS
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 0 statute miles
- Sky: vv
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.