# NTSB BFO93LA078: de Havilland DH-82A, N28681, Frederick, MD, May 9, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 9, 1993, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Frederick, MD
- Coordinates: 39.4197, -77.409988 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4197&lon=-77.4100&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11938
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO93LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11938/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO93LA078

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT BY THE PILOT AND FUEL CONTAMINATION, WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

## 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
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with object, landing
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT BOTH THE PREFLIGHT AND RUN UP INSPECTIONS WERE ACCOMPLISHED SUCCESSFULLY.  DURING THE INITIAL CLIMB AT ABOUT 900 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  HE REVERSED DIRECTION TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT, BUT DECIDED TO LAND IN A FIELD.  DURING THE FORCED LANDING THE AIRPLANE STRUCK A TREE AND THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM BY THE FAA REVEALED CONTAMINANTS CONSISTING OF DIRT AND WATER IN BOTH THE FUEL TANK AND GASCOLATOR.  THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE CROSSWIND TURN WAS MADE SOONER, AND THE FUEL TANKS WERE COMPLETELY DRAINED PERIODICALLY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N28681](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N28681-2018-03-13), registration cancelled 2018-03-13, S/N PG621-81, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DH-82A
- Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PG 621-81
- Airframe hours: 1427
- Engines: de Havilland GYPSY MAJOR I 122 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bernard Paiewonsky
- Registered owner: Bernard Paiewonsky
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 19, 1992, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,918 total, 40 in this make and model, 2,918 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19930509012699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930509012699A), May 9, 1993: Dhavxx DH82AROBRTSN, Frederick, MD, Substantial damage. Lost power on climbout. Unable to return struck a tree on forced landing. Found water and dirt in fuel system.

## Other investigations on N28681 (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 ERA15LA052](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15LA052), Nov 15, 2014: Dehavilland Tiger Moth DH 82A (N28681), Williamson, GA, destroyed. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which led to the airplane exceeding its critical angle-of-attack and experiencing an aerodynamic stall at an insufficient altitude to fully…

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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