About 30 Minutes Into The Flight, Smoke Entered The Cockpit And The Engine Noise Changed

Location: Fort Meade, FL Accident Number: ERA24LA144
Date & Time: March 14, 2024, 14:42 Local Registration: N76TG
Aircraft: Glasair Sportsman 2+2 Injuries: 2 Minor
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On March 14, 2024, at 1442 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Glasair Sportsman 2+2, N76TG, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Fort Meade, Florida. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

According to the pilot, he and his passenger departed Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida, at 1430 to return to Fly In Ranches Airport (FD25), Vero Beach, Florida. About 30 minutes into the flight, smoke entered the cockpit and the engine noise changed. Shortly thereafter, the engine stopped producing power and the pilot performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing, the airplane’s nose landing gear dug into the ground and the airplane nosed over. The pilot and passenger egressed from the airplane and the airplane was then consumed by fire.

Postaccident examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the exhaust pipe was missing. The wreckage was retained for further examination.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov