How many Globe GC-1Bs are registered in the US?

507, in the FAA aircraft registry.

When was the Globe GC-1B built?

From about 1946 to 1956. Half of those registered today were built by 1946.

What engine does the Globe GC-1B have?

Most have the Continental C125 (53% of those registered); others have the Continental C145, Continental O-300, Continental IO-360, Lycoming O-320.

How many accidents has the Globe GC-1B had?

27 in the NTSB's database since 2010, 6 of them fatal. The most common defining event was loss of control on ground. These are counts, not rates: how many hours the fleet flew is not published.

How many Airworthiness Directives does the Globe GC-1B have?

16 current ADs name the GC-1B airframe, 0 of them with a repeat action, and 50 more name its engines. Whether each applies to one aircraft depends on its serial number and installed equipment.

Ownership guide

Globe GC-1B Swift

507 registered in the US, built from about 1946 to 1956, 2 seats, most with the Continental C125. Its Airworthiness Directives, its engines', and what to check before buying one.

The fleet

Registered in the US: 507
Built: 1946 to 1956
Half built by: 1946
Seats: 2
Engine type: Piston
Most common engine: Continental C125

Engines installed

Continental C125270 aircraft (53%)
Continental C14584 aircraft (17%) · 2 ADs, 0 with a repeat action
Continental O-30038 aircraft (7%) · 7 ADs, 0 with a repeat action
Continental IO-36021 aircraft (4%) · 17 ADs, 1 with a repeat action
Lycoming O-32020 aircraft (4%) · 24 ADs, 3 with a repeat action

From the FAA aircraft registry, rebuilt daily. Years are those recorded on each registration.

Airworthiness Directives

16 current ADs name the GC-1B airframe, 0 with a repeat action. Its engines carry 50 more. 7 equipment ADs name the model.

No current airframe AD mentions a repeat action.

Every AD for the Globe GC-1B

Accident record

27 accidents since 2010, 6 fatal (7 people killed in them, a midair counting both aircraft), 1 aircraft destroyed.

What happened

Loss of control on ground5
Loss of control in flight4
Fuel starvation3
Collision with terrain or object (non-CFIT)3
Loss of engine power (total)3
Loss of engine power (partial)2

Phase of flight

Takeoff7
Initial climb7
Landing4
Approach3
Enroute3

The latest

Date	Where	What happened	Injuries	NTSB number
2025-09-18	Toledo, WA	Takeoff: Loss of control on ground	None	WPR25LA306
2024-09-16	Minden, NV	Approach: Midair collision	Fatal	WPR24FA304A
2024-07-05	Lone oak, TX	Takeoff: Runway excursion	Minor	CEN24LA256
2024-03-02	Afton, MN	Enroute: Aerodynamic stall/spin	Fatal	CEN24FA125
2023-06-03	Bristow, OK	Maneuvering: Fuel related	Serious	CEN23LA226
2023-04-14	Concord, CA	Landing: Loss of control on ground	None	WPR23LA161

From the NTSB's aviation accident database, refreshed monthly; accidents only, homebuilts left out. Counts, not rates: nobody publishes how many hours each model flies, and a training fleet flies far more than a private one. Look up any case by its number in the NTSB's CAROL.

What it costs to run

Per hour flown

Hours flown a yearhr/yrFuel burngal/hrTypical cruise; your POH and how you fly decide it.Fuel price$/galEngine overhaul$A quote from an engine shop.Hours to overhaulhrThe engine maker's published time between overhauls.Maintenance reserve$/hrEverything else that wears: tires, brakes, avionics, the unexpected.

Per year, flown or not

Insurance$/yrHangar or tiedown$/yrAnnual inspection$/yrLoan payments$/yrEverything else$/yrSubscriptions, database updates, the property tax some states charge.

Fuel: $0/hr
Engine reserve: $0/hr
A year: $0
All in, per hour: $0/hr

Everything else is yours to fill in: insurance, hangar and overhaul prices vary too much by pilot, airport and shop for a default to mean anything. Nothing you type leaves this page.

Before you buy one

Run its N-number through the AD check: every AD that names its airframe and engine, as a checklist to take to the logbooks.
For each repeat-action AD, find the last compliance in the logbooks and when the next one is due.
Compare the engine's time since overhaul with its maker's published overhaul time, and look for the reason behind any long gap in flying.
7 equipment ADs name the GC-1B (a muffler, a seat belt, a display): find out which of that equipment is installed.
Check the registration, the airworthiness certificate and the date of the last annual inspection.
Work out the sales or use tax your state will charge with the aircraft tax calculator.

Questions

How many Globe GC-1Bs are registered in the US?: 507, in the FAA aircraft registry.
When was the Globe GC-1B built?: From about 1946 to 1956. Half of those registered today were built by 1946.
What engine does the Globe GC-1B have?: Most have the Continental C125 (53% of those registered); others have the Continental C145, Continental O-300, Continental IO-360, Lycoming O-320.
How many accidents has the Globe GC-1B had?: 27 in the NTSB's database since 2010, 6 of them fatal. The most common defining event was loss of control on ground. These are counts, not rates: how many hours the fleet flew is not published.
How many Airworthiness Directives does the Globe GC-1B have?: 16 current ADs name the GC-1B airframe, 0 of them with a repeat action, and 50 more name its engines. Whether each applies to one aircraft depends on its serial number and installed equipment.

Figures from the FAA aircraft registry and the FAA's Airworthiness Directives, rebuilt daily. An AD listed for a model is one to read; whether it applies to one aircraft depends on its serial number, equipment and records.