Zimmerman GLASTAR N109BZ

Summary

On 7 June 2003 at about 12:45 local time, a Zimmerman GLASTAR registered N109BZ was involved in an accident near Pierce, Nebraska, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 June 2003 at 12:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Pierce, Nebraska, United States

Nearest airport

Private Strip (PVT)

Coordinates

42.1306, -97.5358

Aircraft

Zimmerman GLASTAR

Registration

N109BZ

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Flight Test

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Pierce → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI03LA152

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's operation of the airplane with known deficiencies in equipment and his selection of unsuitable terrain for landing. Factors contributing to this accident were the overtemperature of the engine cooling system, the long grass, and the collapse of the nose landing gear strut.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane nosed over during a precautionary landing to a meadow near a grass airstrip. The pilot reported he entered the downwind leg and the engine temperature rose to 260 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot stated he "had a choice [to] continue around the pattern with an overheating engine, or land immediately." The pilot decided to land the airplane in a grass meadow rather than on the mowed grass airstrip. During landing rollout, the nose gear subsequently became stuck in the grass and nosed over. The airplane had 8.6 hours of total flight hours since receiving a FAA airworthiness certificate. The pilot noted he had experienced problems with the engine cooling system prior to the accident flight. Engine and control surface continuity was confirmed. The reason for the high engine temperature was not determined. The pilot stated, "In hindsight, I wish I wouldn't have flown with a questionable engine."

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.