Remos Aircraft GMBH REMOS GX accident near Glendale, Arizona, April 18, 2023
On April 18, 2023 at about 2:45 pm local time, a 2008 Remos Aircraft GMBH REMOS GX, registered N21GX, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Glendale, Arizona (Glendale Muni airport). It was an instructional 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).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A total loss of engine power caused by fatigue cracking and fracture of the crankshaft. Contributing to the accident was the operator’s failure to properly maintain the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 2023 · about 2:45 pm local time
- Place
- Glendale, Arizona · Glendale Muni · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Remos Aircraft GMBH REMOS GX, built 2008 · all REMOS GXs on the register
- Registration
- N21GX · registry record · serial 260
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that the engine rpm began to fluctuate after lifting off following a touch-and-go landing. The student pilot adjusted the throttle lever and continued the climb. Despite his efforts, the engine rpm continued to decrease and shortly thereafter, the engine and propeller suddenly stopped. The student pilot initiated a forced landing near a road, subsequently impacting terrain. Examination of the engine revealed the crankshaft was found separated at the No. 3 connecting rod journal. The separated surface areas revealed a fatigue crack that initiated at the journal surface close to the radius transition to a cheek. The fatigue crack propagated partially through the thickness of the crankshaft. The terminus of the fatigue crack could not be identified due to contact damage to the fracture face. The engine manufacturer’s recommended time between overhaul (TBO) is 1,500 hours. The engine total time since new was 2,856 hours, with no record of an overhaul. The excessive operational time on the crankshaft likely lead to the fatigue crack and ultimate failure of the crankshaft.
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
- Loss of engine power (total) during initial climb defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip engine power section › Fatigue/wear/corrosion
- Aircraft › Aircraft power plant › Engine (reciprocating) › Recip eng front section › Incorrect service/maintenance
- Aircraft › Aircraft handling/service › Maintenance/inspections › Time limits › Incorrect service/maintenance
Pilot
- Certificate: student
- Flight time: 29.4 hours in all; 29.4 in this make and model; 29.4 in the last 90 days; 1 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: left
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 13, 2023
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912 ULS (piston); 2,856 hours total
- Operator: Eagle Sport LLC
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 01, 7,150 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: a few clouds at 16,000 ft
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 29.84 inHg
- Observation at 7:56 am from KGEU, 1 miles away
Weather report (METAR): KGEU 181456Z 00000KT 10SM FEW160 20/M02 A2984
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flig | 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.
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number WPR23LA160.