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January 30, 1983 · Taylorcraft BC12-D · N95176

Alton, ME

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 30, 1983
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Location
Alton, ME
Aircraft
Taylorcraft BC12-D
Tail Number
N95176
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC83FA061

THE PAX STATED THAT THE FUSELAGE & RIGHT WING TANKS CONTAINED AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. THE ENG WAS WARMED UP AN ESTIMATED 30 MINPRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO LIFT OFF ABOUT 1/2 WAY DOWN THE 1600 FT STRIP. AT ABOUT 30-40 FT THE ACFT BEGAN A RIGHT BANKING TURN. THE PAX STATED THAT AT ABOUT 75 FT ABOVE THE TREES THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT LEFT BACK TOWARD THE RWY, & THE PAX OBSERVED THE PLT PULLING & PUSHING A KNOB. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT'S LOGBOOK INDICATED A TOTAL OF 11.9 HRS DUAL WITH THE LAST DUAL ON 7/24/81. THE LAST RECORDED ANNUAL WAS ON 3/31/81 WHICH COULD NOT BE SIGNED OFF BECAUSE AN STC INVOLVING AN ENG CHANGE WAS NOT COMPLETED. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH SKIS & THEIR INSTALLATION WAS NOT RECORDED IN THE LOGBOOK. THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 175 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. OAT AT BANGOR, ME WAS 20 DEG F. RECENT TESTS SHOW THAT A CARBURETOR HAD A TENDENCY TO COMMENCE ICING TWICE AS SOON WITH AUTOMOTIVE GRADE FUEL AS COMPARED WITH 100LL AVIATION GRADE.

Full Narrative

THE PAX STATED THAT THE FUSELAGE & RIGHT WING TANKS CONTAINED AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. THE ENG WAS WARMED UP AN ESTIMATED 30 MINPRIOR TO TAKEOFF. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO LIFT OFF ABOUT 1/2 WAY DOWN THE 1600 FT STRIP. AT ABOUT 30-40 FT THE ACFT BEGAN A RIGHT BANKING TURN. THE PAX STATED THAT AT ABOUT 75 FT ABOVE THE TREES THE ENG QUIT. THE PLT TURNED THE ACFT LEFT BACK TOWARD THE RWY, & THE PAX OBSERVED THE PLT PULLING & PUSHING A KNOB. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A NEAR VERTICAL NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. THE PLT'S LOGBOOK INDICATED A TOTAL OF 11.9 HRS DUAL WITH THE LAST DUAL ON 7/24/81. THE LAST RECORDED ANNUAL WAS ON 3/31/81 WHICH COULD NOT BE SIGNED OFF BECAUSE AN STC INVOLVING AN ENG CHANGE WAS NOT COMPLETED. THE ACFT WAS EQUIPPED WITH SKIS & THEIR INSTALLATION WAS NOT RECORDED IN THE LOGBOOK. THE ACFT WAS ABOUT 175 LBS OVER MAX GROSS WEIGHT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. OAT AT BANGOR, ME WAS 20 DEG F. RECENT TESTS SHOW THAT A CARBURETOR HAD A TENDENCY TO COMMENCE ICING TWICE AS SOON WITH AUTOMOTIVE GRADE FUEL AS COMPARED WITH 100LL AVIATION GRADE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time07:20 EST
Nearest AirportPrivate Strip (1nm N)
Runway27
Runway Length1600 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftTaylorcraft BC12-D
Tail NumberN95176
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · O-200A · Reciprocating · 100
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (1 fatality, 1 serious injury)
Fatal1
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 46 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 15000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point19 C / 12 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time11:58
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data