# NTSB ATL92LA062: William D. Weeks Glasair I, N169DW, Timmonsville, SC, March 13, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 13, 1992, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Timmonsville, SC
- Coordinates: 34.130672, -79.940238 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1307&lon=-79.9402&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 13, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8571
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA062
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8571/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA062

## Probable cause

THE IMPROPER SELECTION OF THE FUEL SECTOR VALVE TO THE OFF POSITION BY THE PILOT.

## 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 - base turn
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - water

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE APPROACH TO THE AIRPORT, HE INADVERTENTLY TURNED THE FUEL SELECTOR TO THE OFF POSITION. THE AIRCRAFT ENGINE STOPPED PRODUCING POWER WHILE ON BASE LEG, AND HE WAS FORCED TO ATTEMPT AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A POND OFF THE END OF THE RUNWAY. AFTER TOUCHDOWN IN THE POND, THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK A SUBMERGED STUMP AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N169DW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N169DW-1996-11-08), registration cancelled 1996-11-08, S/N 169 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WILLIAM D. WEEKS GLASAIR I
- Registry model: [Weeks William Donovan SH2F](https://openairdocs.org/model/weeks-william-donovan-sh2f) (registry code 05691AY) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 169
- Airframe hours: 55
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Weeks, William D.
- Registered owner: Weeks, William D.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1991, 55 hours before
- Departed: FAY, FAYETTEVILLE, NC
- Airport: 58J, Huggins Memorial, runway 32, 3,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: expired; flight hours: 929 total, 13 in this make and model, 804 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 6,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FLO, 15 nm away

## 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 19920313007459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920313007459A), Mar 13, 1992: Amtr GLASAIR, Timmonsville, SC, Substantial damage. Incorrectly turned fuel to off position on base leg. Force landed in a pond. Struck stump. Fuel selector mod needed

## Other investigations on N169DW (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL95LA019](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL95LA019), Nov 27, 1994: Weeks Glasair SH2F (N169DW), Timmonsville, SC, destroyed, 2 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot's continued operation into known adverse weather conditions with a known aircraft deficiency, and his ensuing spatial disorientation, which resulted in ground impact during an uncontrolled…

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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