Pilot Fatally Injured, Passenger Who Survived Said Pilot Was Working On A 'Propeller Switch'

The NTSB has released a preliminary report in an accident which occurred in Columbus, IN, that fatally injured the pilot of the Glastar GS-1 airplane. A pilot-rated passenger aboard the aircraft was seriously injured, but survived.

According to the preliminary report, on July 25, 2013, about 0932 eastern daylight time, N513GC, a Clayton Gerald H, Glastar GS-1 single engine airplane, was destroyed after impacting terrain and an occupied residence near Columbus Municipal Airport (BAK), Columbus, Indiana.

The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual. Day visual meteorological conditions (VMC) prevailed at the time of the accident and a flight plan had not been filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The airplane had departed BAK at 0929 for a local flight.

The airplane was on downwind leg for a touch-and-go landing. The passenger reported the engine was still running at high rpm, and the pilot was “working frantically on a switch for the propeller," but the airplane was still descending.

The airplane descended, and struck obstructions and terrain coming to rest upright inside a residence. The impact resulted in a significant fuel leak and the two pilots exited the airplane as it was engulfed in an explosion and fire. The one adult inside the residence was able to safely exit. No one on the ground was injured.

The Associated Press reports that the pilot, identified as Gerald H. Clayton, died Saturday at a hospital in Indianapolis, IN.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov