# NTSB ATL82FIG10: Windwagon, N8519F, Frederick, MD, July 16, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 16, 1982, 18:10 local (22:10 UTC)
- Place: Frederick, MD
- Location: 39.4385° N, 77.4117° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Frederick, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4385&lon=-77.4117&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report July 16, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 70750
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82FIG10
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/70750/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82FIG10

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, approach
- Loss of control - in flight, approach
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE INITIAL TEST FLIGHT FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT. TWO GALLONS OF FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE AIRCRAFT WHICH DID NOT COMPLETELY FILL THE TANK. AFTER REFUELING, NUMEROUS HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS AND LOW ALTITUDE LIFT-OFFS AND LANDINGS WERE MADE ON RUNWAY 23. THE PILOT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO MAKE A NORMAL TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL. HE THEN TURNED 90 DEG LEFT AND CONTINUED CLIMBING TO ABOUT 300 FT AGL. ANOTHER 90 DEG TURN WAS MADE TO DOWNWIND AND THE CLIMB WAS CONTINUED UNTIL ABEAM THE MIDPOINT OF THE AIRPORT. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND THE PLANE ENTERED A SPIN AND CRASHED. THE CONDITION OF THE PROPELLER SUGGESTED THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING POWER AT IMPACT. NO INTERNAL MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. THE FUEL TANK HAD RUPTURED BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OR ODOR OF FUEL. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM TO THE ENGINE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8519F](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8519F-1984-06-19), registration cancelled 1984-06-19, S/N GW382 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WINDWAGON
- Registry model: [Turlington Joesph Michael WATSON WINDWAGON](https://openairdocs.org/model/turlington-joesph-michael-watson-windwagon) (registry code 0565127) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: GW382
- Engines: WATSON "VW" GW-10 36 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Joe M. Turlington
- Registered owner: Joe M. Turlington
- Departed: FREDERICK, MD
- Destination: FREDERICK, MD
- Airport: Frederick Muni., runway 23, 3,800 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 539 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 196 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19820716029529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820716029529A), Jul 16, 1982: Amtr WINDWAGON, Frederick, MD, Destroyed. Ran out of fuel in pattern on first flight of homebuilt aircraft. Stalled and spun in.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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