# NTSB NYC06CA164: Baker, Timithy Falco F8L, N4TB, Montgomery, NY, June 30, 2006

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 30, 2006, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Montgomery, NY
- Coordinates: 41.509723, -74.264442
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5097&lon=-74.2644&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 October 31, 2006
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Teterboro FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 64029
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC06CA164
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64029/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA164

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate pre-flight inspection, which resulted in a 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, takeoff - initial climb
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,water - water
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing
  - terrain condition - grass

## Analysis

The pilot of the homebuilt Falco F8L reported that he drained three to four cups of water from the airplane's fuel system prior to takeoff.  During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine began to run rough and lost power.  During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane impacted the ground and was substantially damaged.  The pilot reported that the airplane had been parked outside the week prior to the flight, during abnormally high rainfall.  The pilot also said he was not sufficiently careful in draining the airplane's fuel tank.  Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the homebuilt Falco F8L reported that he drained three to four cups of water from the airplane's fuel system prior to takeoff.  During the initial climb after takeoff, the engine began to run rough and lose power.  During the ensuing forced landing, the airplane impacted the ground and was substantially damaged.  The pilot reported that the airplane had been parked outside the week prior to the flight, during abnormally high rainfall.  The pilot also said he was not sufficiently careful in draining the airplane's fuel tank.  Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4TB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4TB-2007-11-01), registration cancelled 2007-11-01, S/N 886, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Baker, Timithy Falco F8L
- Registry model: [Baker Timothy C FALCO F8L](https://openairdocs.org/model/baker-timothy-c-falco-f8l) (registry code 0566070) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-320-series) (registry code 41509, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 886
- Airframe hours: 740
- Engines: Lycoming IO-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter Crocco
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, December 1, 2002
- Departed: MGJ, Montgomery, NY
- Airport: MGJ, Orange County, runway 26, 3,672 × 100 ft

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 77; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: front; flight hours: 3,890 total, 480 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 8 knots, gusting 8
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.94 inHg
- Observed at: MGJ

## 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 20060630022169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060630022169A), Jun 30, 2006: Aermer FALCOF8L, Montgomery, NY, Destroyed. (-23) At 15:39E, N4TB, a flaco F8L, departed from runway 26 at mgj and reported problems with the engine. The aircraft was returning to land on runway 3, when…

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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