Rockwell 114 N1237W

Summary

On 8 November 1993 at about 01:22 local time, a Rockwell 114 registered N1237W was involved in an accident near Magnolia, Texas, United States. 4 people were on board and 4 had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

8 November 1993 at 01:22

Classification

Accident

Location

Magnolia, Texas, United States

Coordinates

30.1606, -95.7508

Aircraft

Rockwell 114

Registration

N1237W

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Business

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Ennis → Houston

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Night/Dark

NTSB number

FTW94LA026

4 people had minor injuries.

WAS THE OWNER'S FAILURE TO PERFORM CORRECTIVE MAINTENANCE ON THE AIRPLANE'S FUEL SYSTEM AND THE PILOT'S DECISION TO OPERATE IT WITH KNOWN MAINTENANCE DEFICIENCIES. A FACTOR WAS THE LACK OF SUITABLE TERRAIN ONTO WHICH A FORCED LANDING COULD BE EXECUTED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

WHILE EN ROUTE ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT, THE AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED A FUEL EXHAUSTION INDUCED POWER LOSS. THE PILOT BECAME AWARE OF THE CRITICAL FUEL STATE ABOUT 3 MINUTES PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH POWER LINES, TREES, AND ROUGH TERRAIN DURING THE ENSUING NIGHT FORCED LANDING ON A ROAD. THE PILOT'S PREFLIGHT HAD INDICATED HE HAD ADEQUATE FUEL TO COMPLETE THE FLIGHT AND HE SHOULD HAVE HAD 2 HOURS REMAINING AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE AIRPLANE HAD A HISTORY OF FUEL LEAKS FROM THE TANKS AND THE STRAINER. THE AIRPLANE OWNER HAD BRIEFED THE PILOT ON THE LEAKS, BUT THE PILOT STATED THAT ALL HE HAD EXPERIENCED WAS UNEVEN TANK BURN WHEN THE FUEL SELECTOR WAS PLACED ON THE BOTH POSITION.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.