# NTSB BFO91LA075: Taylorcraft BC-12D, N43494, Warrenton, VA, July 27, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1991, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Warrenton, VA
- Location: 38.7154° N, 77.7976° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Warrenton, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7154&lon=-77.7976&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11699
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91LA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11699/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91LA075

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OPERATIONS, WHICH FAILED TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. OTHER RELATED FACTOR: STANDING WATER ON THE GRASSY AREA.

## 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 (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - berm (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

BEFORE THE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED. THE PILOT COMPLETED HIS PREFLIGHT WHICH INCLUDED DRAINING THE SUMPS. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY WATER IN THE FUEL. HE STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF 500 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE SAID HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE TRIED TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND LAND ON THE RUNWAY BUT HE WAS ONLY ABLE TO LAND ON THE GRASSY AREA. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SOME STANDING WATER AND NOSED OVER. FAA EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL TANKS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43494](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43494-2026-03-23), registration cancelled 2026-03-23, S/N 7153, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TAYLORCRAFT BC-12D
- Registry model: [Taylorcraft BC12-D](https://openairdocs.org/model/taylorcraft-bc12-d) (registry code 8850316) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 116
- Airframe hours: 127
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kirk Wicker
- Registered owner: Kirk Wicker
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 1991, 128 hours before
- Airport: W66, Warrenton-Fauquia, runway 6, 2,087 × 40 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: right; flight hours: 1,158 total, 99 in this make and model, 1,079 as pilot in command, 110 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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