# NTSB NYC92LA184: William C. Keiling Prober Pixie, N103WK, Cumberland, MD, August 30, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 30, 1992, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Cumberland, MD
- Location: 39.6517° N, 78.7579° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Cumberland, MD, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6517&lon=-78.7579&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 August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37226
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA184
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37226/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA184

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL/SPIN, FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS DUE TO FUEL CONTAMINATION.  FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO DETECT THE RUST PARTICLES AND WATER IN THE FUEL SYSTEM PRIOR TO TAKEOFF AND HIS LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRPLANE.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total) (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID HE PREFLIGHTED THE AIRPLANE AND MADE SEVERAL GROUND RUNS AND POWER CHECKS PRIOR TO TAKEOFF.  DURING TAKEOFF AS THE AIRPLANE CROSSED THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY, THE ENGINE LOST POWER.  THE PILOT TURNED TO AVOID A TREE LINE AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED.  THE AIRPLANE THEN ENTERED A SPIN AND STRUCK THE GROUND.  POST ACCIDENT EXAMINATION BY THE FAA FOUND RUST PARTICLES AND WATER IN THE FUEL TANK, FUEL FILTER BOWL, AND INLET FINGER SCREEN GOING INTO THE CARBURETOR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N103WK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N103WK-1994-02-07), registration cancelled 1994-02-07, S/N N1003 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WILLIAM C. KEILING PROBER PIXIE (PROBER PIX)
- Registry model: [Keiling William C POBER PIXIE](https://openairdocs.org/model/keiling-william-c-pober-pixie) (registry code 0564222) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 10003
- Airframe hours: 13
- Engines: HAPI 60E 60 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William C. Holbrook
- Registered owner: William C. Holbrook
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 1, 1990, 7 hours before
- Airport: 1W3, Mexico Farms, runway 1, 2,100 × 90 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 25,097 total, 7 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19920830033929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920830033929A), Aug 30, 1992: Amtrai POBERPIXIE, Cumberland, MD, Substantial damage. Lost power on takeoff. Nosed up and stalled. Rust water 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.

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