# NTSB Accident FTW96FA319
> **Chester GLASAIR RG** · 1996-07-24 · LAFAYETTE, LA, USA · FATL
## Event
- **NTSB number:** FTW96FA319
- **Event ID:** 20001208X06207
- **Type:** Accident
- **Date:** 1996-07-24
- **Location:** LAFAYETTE, LA, USA
## Injuries
- **Highest injury:** FATL
- **Fatal:** 2
- **Serious:** 0
- **Minor:** 0
- **Uninjured:** 0
- **Total aboard:** 2
## Aircraft
- **Make:** Chester
- **Model:** GLASAIR RG
- **Registration:** N127E
- **FAR Part:** 091
- **Engines:** 1
- **Damage:** DEST
## Conditions
- **Light:** NDRK
- **Weather:** VMC
## Probable cause

failure of the pilot to maintain proper altitude (and clearance above wooded terrain), while diverting to an alternate destination.  Factors relating to the accident were: the loss of the comm/nav equipment as a result of an electrostatic discharge, darkness, the lack of visual cues (dark hole effect), and the pilot's lack of experience in the Glasair RG.

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*Source: [NTSB CAROL](https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-main-public/basic-search?source=ntsb&type=event&ntsb_number=FTW96FA319) · AI Analytics · CC0 1.0*