WARRENTON, VA, USA
N43494
TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D
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.
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.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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