Taylorcraft BC-12D N43494
27 July 1991 · Warrenton, Virginia, United States · Minor injuries
Summary
On 27 July 1991 at about 20:30 local time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D registered N43494, operated by Kirk Wicker, was involved in an accident near Warrenton, Virginia, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 20:30
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Warrenton, Virginia, United States
- Nearest airport
- Warrenton-Fauquia (W66)
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BC-12D
- Registration
- N43494
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Kirk Wicker
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- BFO91LA075
People
1 person had minor injuries.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OPERATIONS, WHICH FAILED TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. OTHER RELATED FACTOR: STANDING WATER ON THE GRASSY AREA.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
BEFORE THE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED. THE PILOT COMPLETED HIS PREFLIGHT WHICH INCLUDED DRAINING THE SUMPS. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY WATER IN THE FUEL. HE STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF 500 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE SAID HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE TRIED TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND LAND ON THE RUNWAY BUT HE WAS ONLY ABLE TO LAND ON THE GRASSY AREA. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SOME STANDING WATER AND NOSED OVER. FAA EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL TANKS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Taylorcraft BC-12D accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Sep 1991 | Taylorcraft BC-12D | Sunset Hills, Missouri, United States | Bryan H. Strait | No injuries | - |
| 14 Nov 1992 | Taylorcraft BC-12D | Mariposa, California, United States | Joseph E. Carbaugh | No injuries | - |
| 12 Jun 1990 | Taylorcraft BC-12D | Fairbanks, Alaska, United States | William Campbell | Fatal | 2 |
| 28 Nov 1992 | Taylorcraft BC-12D | Huslia, Alaska, United States | Ernst, Donald E. | Minor injuries | - |
| 23 Feb 1992 | Taylorcraft BC-12D | Gibson Island, Maryland, United States | Anthony R. LEE | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Apr 1990 | Taylorcraft BC-12D | Meadville, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 May 1991 | Cessna 310D | Christiansburg, Virginia, United States | U.s. Air Salvage | Minor injuries | - |
| 25 May 1991 | Piper PA-22-150 | Danville, Virginia, United States | Eoanna K. Casey | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 May 1991 | Smith Ted Aerostar STP1 | Quinton, Virginia, United States | Walter K. Crawford, JR. | No injuries | - |
| 13 Jun 1991 | Grumman AA-1C | Union Hall, Virginia, United States | Christopher P. Nelson | No injuries | - |
| 26 Jun 1991 | Cessna 150G | Stuart, Virginia, United States | C-150 Group Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 4 Jul 1991 | Cessna 172 | South Boston, Virginia, United States | Wings & Props Flying Club | Minor injuries | - |