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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

May 25, 1994 · Bradford Seahawk · N65TB

Richmond, KY

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 25, 1994
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Richmond, KY
Aircraft
Bradford Seahawk
Tail Number
N65TB
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC94LA094

THIS WAS THE PILOT'S SECOND FLIGHT IN THE EXPERIMENTAL, HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE. AFTER TAKEOFF, HE CLIMBED TO ABOUT 800 FEET OVER THE AIRPORT. HE STATED ON THE RADIO THAT THE ENGINE HAD LOST POWER. AFTER SWITCHING FUEL TANKS, THE ENGINE RESTARTED, BUT IT QUIT AGAIN AFTER A SHORT TIME. THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING TO RUNWAY 18. HE WAS UNABLE TO REACH THE AIRPORT AND IMPACTED A TREE ABOUT 200 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY. THE AIRPLANE WAS DESTROYED BY POST-IMPACT FIRE. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO EVACUATE THE AIRPLANE, BUT WAS SEVERELY BURNED.

NTSB Probable Cause

was the loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and the collision with an object during the subsequent forced landing.

Full Narrative

On Wednesday, May 25, 1994, at 1530 central daylight time, a Bradford Seahawk, N65TB, a homebuilt, amphibian airplane, registered to and piloted by Thomas O. Bradford, was destroyed in Richmond, Kentucky. The pilot was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was performing the second flight in this airplane. He departed the Madison Airport for a local flight. He circled the airport three times and was in radio contact with personnel on the ground. He stated over the radio that the engine had quit and he was switching fuel tanks. The engine restarted, but quit again. The pilot initiated a forced landing to runway 18, but the airplane collided with a tree about 200 feet from the approach end of the runway. After impact, a fire started and the airplane was destroyed. The pilot was able to evacuate the airplane, but he succumbed to injuries 3 days after the accident. Mr. David I. King, a Federal Aviation Administration Principal Maintenance Inspector, examined the wreckage. In his report, Mr. King stated: Examination of the wreckage indicated the post crash fire consumed the entire aircraft. The fire centered around the left side of the cockpit and the...wing root area. The instruments and controls were totally destroyed. Several lumps of molten aluminum were found. They are believed to be the control stick...fuel primer and fuel selector valve. The electrical wiring and any rubber fuel links were consumed. The engine...suffered similar damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:30 EDT
Nearest AirportMADISON (0nm NW)
Runway18
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBradford Seahawk
Tail NumberN65TB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 12 kt
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data