# NTSB BFO86FHD04: White Lightning WLAC-1, N100WL, Wilmington, DE, September 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 27, 1986, 11:28 local (15:28 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, DE
- Coordinates: 39.659664, -75.570922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6597&lon=-75.5709&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11218
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO86FHD04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11218/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO86FHD04

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - maintenance,modification - performed
  - information unavailable, company/operator management (cause)
  - crew/group coordination - inadequate (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - weather condition - clouds (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - object - wire,transmission (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

DURING A VFR-ON-TOP FLT WITH NO FLT PLAN, THE ENG LOST POWER FROM FUEL STARVATION. THE PLT DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT FUEL WAS STILL REMAINING IN A NON-SELECTED AUX TANK. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT WAS DAMAGED DURING A FORCED LANDING ON THE MEDIAN OF A HIGHWAY. PROPERTY DAMAGE CONSISTED OF BROKEN UTILITY WIRES. THE PLT WAS UNAWARE THAT HIS PARTNER HAD MADE A FUEL SYSTEM MODIFICATION TO THE HOME BUILT ACFT BY ROUTING THE RETURN FUEL TO THE AUX TANK RATHER THAN THE MAIN TANK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N100WL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N100WL-1996-08-26), registration cancelled 1996-08-26, S/N 100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: White Lightning Aircraft Corp. WLAC-1
- Registry model: [White Lightening Acft WLAC-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/white-lightening-acft-wlac-1) (registry code 05613VU) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 100
- Engines: CONTINENTAL IO-360 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howell C. Jones
- Registered owner: White Lightning Acft Corp.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: WALTERBORO, SC
- Destination: ILG, WILMINGTON, DE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 25,050 total, 70 in this make and model, 22,500 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILG, 2 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 19860927048819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860927048819A), Sep 27, 1986: Amtrlw WLAC1, Wilmington, DE, Substantial damage. Engine failed from fuel starvation. Aircraft struck wire during emergency landing. Pilot unfamiliar with 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.

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