Plane Crash List

Hankins/Dickerson CLIPPED WINGS II N4287R

9 August 1994 · Laurel, Maryland, United States · Serious injuries

Summary

On 9 August 1994 at about 22:30 local time, a Hankins/Dickerson CLIPPED WINGS II registered N4287R, operated by Hankins/Dickerson, was involved in an accident near Laurel, Maryland, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. 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 22:30
Classification
Accident
Location
Laurel, Maryland, United States
Coordinates
39.1006, -76.8807
Aircraft
Hankins/Dickerson CLIPPED WINGS II
Registration
N4287R
Category
Airplane
Engines
1
Operator
Hankins/Dickerson
Operating rule
Part 91: General Aviation
Purpose of flight
Personal
Phase of flight
Not recorded
Aircraft damage
Substantial
Weather
VMC
Light
Day
NTSB number
BFO94LA128

People

1 person was seriously injured.

On board Died Serious Minor Uninjured
1 0 1 0 0

Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE IGNITION SYSTEM CAPACITOR DISCHARGE UNIT WHICH CAUSED LOSS OF TOTAL ENGINE POWER.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT WAS ON A FLIGHT TO TEST THE OPERATION EFFICIENCY OF THE PROPELLER WHICH HE PLANNED TO REPLACE. HE INTENDED TO REMAIN IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN FOR THE FLIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THE FLIGHT FROM TAKEOFF THROUGH POSITIONING FOR FINAL LEG WAS WITHOUT INCIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, 'ON FINAL APPROACH THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SPUTTERED TO A STOP. UPON NOTICING TH FALTERING (ENGINE) I IMMEDIATELY GAVE IT FULL CHOKE AND PULLED BACK THE THROTTLE BACK THE THROTTLE IN ORDER TO ENRICH THE FUEL FLOW. I DID THIS IN CASE I HAD A FUEL PROBLEM. THIS PROCEDURE HAD NO EFFECT, THE ENGINE COASTED TO A COMPLETE STOP. I THEN PUT THE THROTTLE IN A START POSITION AND CLOSED THE CHOKE TO INITIATE A NORMAL WARM ENGINE START. I PRESSED THE ELECTRIC STARTER BUTTON. THE ENGINE TURNED OVER BUT GAVE NO INDICATION OF STARTING.' THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO GLIDE THE DISTANCE TO THE AIRPORT AND THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE ROOF OF HOUSE. POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED THE CAPACITOR DISCHARGE UNIT OF THE IGNITION SYSTEM HAD FAILED.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.

Other accidents in this area

Date Aircraft Location Operator Outcome Died
20 Sep 1994 Piper PA-28R-200
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Oakland, Maryland, United States - Serious injuries -
19 Feb 1994 Beechcraft C35
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Rockville, Maryland, United States William R Canda Serious injuries -
23 Apr 1994 Beechcraft B24R
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28 May 1994 Cessna A150L
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Leonardtown, Maryland, United States Steven J. Bildman No injuries -
17 Sep 1994 Beechcraft A36
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Barstow, Maryland, United States
no coordinates
Thompson, William A. Fatal 1
25 Jan 1994 Robinson R-22A
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Gaithersburg, Maryland, United States Montgomery Aviation No injuries -

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