Stoddard Hamilton GLASAIR II N8176J

Summary

On 29 May 2021 at about 17:06 local time, a Stoddard Hamilton GLASAIR II registered N8176J was involved in an accident near Darby, Montana, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 were seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 May 2021 at 17:06

Classification

Accident

Location

Darby, Montana, United States

Nearest airport

West Fork Lodge Airport (K4U7)

Coordinates

45.9531, -114.1422

Aircraft

Stoddard Hamilton GLASAIR II

Registration

N8176J

Category

Airplane

Year built

1999

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Stevensville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR21LA219

2 people were seriously injured.

The pilot’s impact with terrain during a go-around following an attempted precautionary landing due to a low oil pressure indication. The reason for the low oil pressure indication could not be determined based on the available information.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was conducting a local flight with a passenger when he received a low oil pressure warning, and he decided to perform a precautionary landing to a nearby grass runway. While on final approach for landing, the pilot determined that the airplane was high and fast, and he attempted to slip to slow the airplane and descend quickly, but about halfway down the runway, chose to go around and began a turn to land in the other direction. About three-quarters of the way through the turn, the pilot “felt the airplane begin to stall.” He pushed the nose down and the airplane contacted the ground in a left-wing-low, nose-down attitude. The automotive conversion engine was rotated by hand after removal of the flywheel dampener plate. About 2 quarts of oil was drained from the engine. Examination of the crankshaft and connecting rods revealed no anomalies. The oil filter and adapter were removed, and black RTV sealant was noted around the base of the filter adapter. The oil filter element was inspected and found to contain a sliver of black RTV material; however, based on the available information, the reason for the low oil pressure indication could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.