# NTSB ATL97LA003: Harper W-8 Tailwind, N91323, Macclenny, FL, October 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 13, 1996, 12:35 local (16:35 UTC) - Place: Macclenny, FL - Coordinates: 30.280096, -82.120918 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.2801&lon=-82.1209&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3792 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL97LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3792/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL97LA003 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in loss of engine power due to fuel contamination. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,fuel - contamination,other than water (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot landed at a private airstrip and refueled with seven gallons of automotive fuel. After refueling the airplane, there was no record of the pilot checking for fuel contaminates in the fuel system. As the pilot taxied for takeoff, no aircraft problems were experienced. However, while climbing through 150 feet after takeoff, the pilot noted a rough engine condition followed by a loss of engine power. He elected to return to the airport for an emergency landing. Subsequently, the airplane collided with trees short of the airport. An examination of the airplane revealed contamination in the fuel system, which included rust/debris in the fuel tank, gasculator, carburetor inlet screen, and carburetor bowl. Examination of the engine (a surplus military Lycoming-Spencer O-290-G4) failed to disclose a mechanical problem. ## Factual narrative On October 13, 1996, at 1235 central daylight time, a Harper W-8 Tailwind, N91323, collided with trees while attempting a forced landing to a private airstrip near MacClenny, Florida. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the pilot received serious injuries. The flight departed a private airstrip in MacClenny, Florida, at 1230. The pilot reported that he landed at a private airstrip in MacClenny and refueled with seven gallons of automotive fuel. There was no record of the pilot checking the fuel system for contaminates after he refueled the airplane. As the pilot taxied for takeoff, no mechanical problems with the airplane were experienced, but while climbing through 150 feet after takeoff, the pilot experienced a rough engine condition followed by a loss of engine power. He elected to return to the airport for the emergency landing. The airplane collided with trees short of the airport. The examination of the airplane disclosed that the fuel system was refueled with automotive fuel. Further examination disclosed that there was rust and debris in the fuel tank, gasculator, carburetor inlet screen, and carburetor bowl. The examination of the engine failed to disclose a mechanical problem. A review of the aircraft and engine log showed the engine was a surplus military Lycoming-Spencer O-290-G4. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N91323](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N91323), registered now, S/N 001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: HARPER W-8 TAILWIND (W-8 TAILWI) - Registry model: [Harper Jack Webster W-8 TAIL WIND](https://openairdocs.org/model/harper-jack-webster-w-8-tail-wind) (registry code 05601S8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 001 - Airframe hours: 84 - Engines: Spencer O-290-G4 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jack W. Harper - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, November 2, 1995, 84 hours before - Departed: NONE - Destination: 23J, HERLONG, FL - Airport: NONE, Thrifts, runway 9, 1,800 × 75 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 652 total, 85 in this make and model, 652 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 10 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: NZC, 20 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 19961013032209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19961013032209A), Oct 13, 1996: Amtrwt TAILWINDW8, Macclenny, FL, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Tried turn back but struck trees. Rust and debris in fuel system. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.