# NTSB ATL86LA221: Temco GC-1B, N78261, Bowling Green, KY, August 8, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1986, 17:49 local (21:49 UTC)
- Place: Bowling Green, KY
- Coordinates: 37.06015, -86.459205 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0602&lon=-86.4592&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7166
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7166/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA221

## 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 - final approach
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

PLT REPORTED THAT HE FAILED TO REPOSITION THE FUEL SELECTOR FROM AUXILLARY FUEL TANK TO MAIN FUEL TANK DURING THE LANDING CHECK. ENGINE QUIT DUE TO FUEL STARVATION ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N78261](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N78261), registered now, S/N 2261, built 1946 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TEMCO GC-1B
- Registry model: [Temco GC-1B](https://openairdocs.org/model/temco-gc-1b) (registry code 9230108) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C125 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c125-series) (registry code 17011, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2261
- Airframe hours: 2086
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6A-350-C1 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert S. Wickham
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, July 8, 1986, 14 hours before
- Departed: DNV, DANVILLE, IL
- Destination: CSV, CROSSVILLE, TN
- Airport: BWG, Bowling Green-Warren Co., runway 30, 3,956 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,392 total, 574 in this make and model, 1,233 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BWG

## 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 19860808038369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860808038369A), Aug 8, 1986: Univac GC1B, Bowling Green, KY, Substantial damage. Failed to switch fuel tanks. Fuel starvation on final app roach. Landed short of runway. Hit an airport fence.

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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