SALUDA, VA, USA
N43364
MADSEN RANS S-12
THE PILOT AND PASSENGER WERE CIRCLING TO PHOTOGRAPH A LIGHTHOUSE, WHILE OVERWATER AT 100 FEET AGL, WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE PILOT DITCHED THE AIRPLANE IN WATER, WHERE THE OCCUPANTS WERE RESCUED BY PERSONNEL ON A NEARBY BOAT. THE AIRCRAFT REMAINED AFLOAT UNTIL IT WAS RECOVERED. AN EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATED FUEL IN THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANKS. SEVEN GALLONS OF FUEL WAS DRAINED FROM THE TANKS, WHICH INCLUDED ABOUT 20 OUNCES OF WATER. THE FUEL TANK AND PUMP DID NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE WATER, WHILE THE AIRPLANE WAS AFLOAT.
WATER CONTAMINATION OF THE FUEL, AND AN INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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