Glasair GL20 accident near Rocky Mount, VA
On April 16, 1996, a Glasair GL20 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Rocky Mount, VA. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- April 16, 1996
- Place
- Rocky Mount, VA
- Aircraft
- Glasair GL20 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 36.989°N, 79.891°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X05588
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 16, 1996, at 1605 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Glasair GL20, N518EC, piloted by the registered owner/operator, impacted terrain in a wooded area near Rocky Mount, Virginia. The certificated private pilot and the passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91 and originated in Greenville, South Carolina, at 1456 EDT. The intended destination was Leesburg, Virginia. According to Air Traffic Control (ATC) records, at 1449 EDT the pilot requested and received an IFR clearance for a flight to Virginia. Records also indicated that at 1505 EDT, ATC cleared the pilot to climb to 9,000 feet mean sea level (msl.) Three minutes later, the pilot requested permission to climb to 11,000 feet msl, due to severe turbulence. At 1510 EDT, ATC issued a clearance to climb to 11,000 feet msl. At 1512 EDT, the pilot requested and received permission to climb to 12,000 feet msl. At 1529 EDT, Atlanta Air Route Traffic Control Center (ZTL ARTCC) asked the pilot to verify that the airplane was level at 12,000 feet msl. The pilot responded that the airplane was at 12,400 feet msl due to turbulence, and he requested a higher assigned altitude. At 1530 EDT, the flight was cleared to 13,000 feet msl. At 1532 EDT, the pilot reported that the flight was smooth. At approximately 1553 EDT, the pilot advised ATC that he was encountering clouds and he requested a lower altitude, in an attempt to stay out of icing conditions. At 1556 EDT, ATC c
Probable cause
the pilot's continued flight into adverse weather conditions which led to airframe ice and a loss of control. Related factors were: the failure of the FSS briefer to advise the pilot of a valid AIRMET regarding icing conditions, the icing conditions, and turbulence.
More accidents in VA
- Boeing 757-200, Sep 11, 2001
- Beech B99, Sep 23, 1985
- Beech 65, Sep 10, 1995
- Beech 200, Oct 24, 2004
- Piper PA-31-310, Nov 14, 1982
Browse: Virginia
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
