# NTSB SEA89LA012: Laycock Baby Great Lakes, N8519K, Graham, WA, October 15, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1988, 08:34 local (15:34 UTC)
- Place: Graham, WA
- Coordinates: 47.010608, -122.290939 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.0106&lon=-122.2909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40951
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA89LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40951/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA89LA012

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - fuel system,drain - improper (cause)
  - maintenance,installation - improper, unknown (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - water (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

ENG LOST PWR WHILE IN CRUISE ON LOCAL FLT. PLT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO FIELD BUT CONTACTED TREES DURING EMERG DESCENT TO FORCED LNDG. INVESTIGATION REVEALED PRESENCE OF WATER IN FUEL SYSTEM. FUEL SEDIMENT BOWL WAS AUTOMOTIVE TYPE WITH AVIATION DRAIN INSTALLED. DRAIN FITTING PENETRATED BOWL 3/16 INCHES BEYOND NORMAL, ALLOWING 2 INCHES OF UNDRAINABLE WATER AND SEDIMENT TO BE TRAPPED IN BOWL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8519K](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8519K), registered now, S/N BG-1, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAYCOCK BABY GREAT LAKES (BABY GREAT)
- Registry model: [Laycock Gary R BABY GREAT LAKES](https://openairdocs.org/model/laycock-gary-r-baby-great-lakes) (registry code 3910269) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BG 1
- Airframe hours: 730
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James H. Schmoker
- Registered owner: James H Schmoker
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 28, 1988, 8 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 68; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,245 total, 730 in this make and model, 3,245 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °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 19881015062439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881015062439A), Oct 15, 1988: Amtrof BABYLAKES, Graham, WA, Substantial damage. Engine lost power. Homebuilt crash landed in trees. Water in fuel. Carburetor bowl had wrong drain. Retained water.

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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