Accident Beechcraft B19 N1976W,
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ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 361612
 
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Date:Monday 26 July 1993
Time:20:20 LT
Type:Beechcraft B19
Owner/operator:Private
Registration: N1976W
MSN: MB-649
Total airframe hrs:3547 hours
Engine model:LYCOMING O-320-E3D
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Birmingham, MI -   United States of America
Phase: Initial climb
Nature:Private
Departure airport:(7D2)
Destination airport:(7D2)
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AS THE AIRPLANE PASSED OVER THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON A RAILROAD BED BETWEEN TWO RAILROAD TRACKS, WHERE THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN SERVICED WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL, WHICH WAS LISTED AS 87 OCTANE AND CONTAINED 10% ETHANOL. HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT CERTIFIED FOR AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. TESTS SHOWED THAT ENGINE OPERATION WAS NOT RELIABLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL DUE TO VAPOR LOCK. AN FAA/PMI PERSON REPORTED THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE, THOUGH HE DID NOT SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFY AUTOMOTIVE DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

Probable Cause: AN IMPROPER GRADE OF FUEL WAS LOADED INTO THE AIRPLANE BY THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE RENTAL AIRPLANE, IMPROPER PLANNING AND/OR DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND SUBSEQUENT VAPOR LOCK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE AIRPLANE (FUEL SYSTEM - OTHER), WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.

Accident investigation:
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Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: CHI93LA286
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 11 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB CHI93LA286

Location

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
16-Mar-2024 20:20 ASN Update Bot Added

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