What happened
On September 27, 2025, an experimental, amateur-built Glasair Super II FT, registration N45BT, was destroyed following an accident near Wallkill, New York. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
According to ADS-B data, the aircraft departed Sky Manor Airport (N40) in Pittstown, New Jersey, at approximately 10:40 and arrived at Kobelt Airport (N45) at approximately 11:27. The pilot had joined a group of seven other pilots for lunch at the airport. Witnesses stated that the N45BT was the last of the eight aircraft to depart the group.
During the initial climb from runway 3, the aircraft pitched nose-up and entered a 45-degree left climbing turn. The left wing of the aircraft struck a windsock pole, which was constructed from a telephone pole, located near the runway. The aircraft then impacted the ground, resulting in a post-impact fire. The pilot sustained 1 fatal injury.
The investigation
The aircraft came to rest inverted approximately 166 feet west of the runway in a flat, grassy area. The first point of impact was identified on the wooden windsock pole, which was approximately 18 feet long. The wreckage path spanned about 250 feet.
Examination of the wreckage revealed the following:
- The airframe and wings were largely consumed by fire.
- The left aileron and wingtip were separated from the wing due to impact.
- The engine remained attached to the engine mount and a section of the firewall.
- The two-bladed aluminum controllable pitch propeller was separated from the engine; one blade showed significant deformation.
- The engine's dual electronic ignition system was inspected, and the sparkplug electrodes appeared undamaged with normal wear.
- Internal examination of the cylinders via borescope showed no anomalies, and compression and suction were attained on all four cylinders.
- The fuel servo throttle plate was in the open position, and the mixture control was in the rich position.
- The fuel selector valve was in the main position, and the gascolator was free of debris.