# NTSB WPR19LA076: Whittman 8-W Modified, N12037, Prospect, OR, January 29, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: January 28, 2019, 17:50 local (Jan 29, 2019, 01:50 UTC) - Place: Prospect, OR · Airplane came to rest at the above listed coordinates, which were provided by the recovery team, Nu Venture Air Services of Dallas, Oregon. The property belongs to Hancock Timber, of Medford, Oregon. - Coordinates: 42.717224, -122.51721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7172&lon=-122.5172&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 98910 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR19LA076 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98910/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98910 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR19LA076 ## Probable cause The non-certificated pilot’s failure to ensure adequate fuel onboard prior to flight, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Fluids: fuel](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010): Aircraft › Fluids/misc hardware · Fluid level (probable cause); cases with it: [Whittman Tailwind 8-W MODIFIED, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md?model=979029L), [All aircraft, 1,695 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01071010/cases.md) - [Planning/preparation: fuel planning](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Whittman Tailwind 8-W MODIFIED, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md?model=979029L), [All aircraft, 719 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02061030/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Whittman Tailwind 8-W MODIFIED, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=979029L), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Fuel exhaustion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192) (defining event); cases with it: [Whittman Tailwind 8-W MODIFIED, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md?model=979029L), [All aircraft, 804 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/192/sequence.md) - [Landing: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Whittman Tailwind 8-W MODIFIED, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=979029L), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Whittman Tailwind 8-W MODIFIED, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=979029L), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The non-certificated pilot was observed by airport personnel as he assembled the airplane over a three-day period. On the day of the accident, during the takeoff, the airplane collided with a runway light then departed the airport area. A search was initiated when the pilot did not return in a reasonable amount of time. The wreckage and the pilot were located the next morning about 1.8 nautical miles southwest of the departure airport in an area of thick trees and brush covered terrain. The pilot related to the airport caretaker that; the engine lost power due to “magneto problems.” The airplane was substantially damaged during landing. A postaccident examination of the magnetos revealed no anomalies with either magneto that would have precluded normal operation. Additionally, the fuel tank was found undamaged and empty at the accident site and there was no odor of fuel or evidence of pooling fuel from possible fuel leaks. The pilot’s reported loss of engine power was attributed to fuel exhaustion due to his failure to ensure that sufficient fuel was available for the flight prior to departure. ## Factual narrative On January 28, 2019, about 1750 Pacific standard time, an experimental, amateur-built Whittman Tailwind 8-Wairplane, N12037, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Prospect, Oregon. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 91 personal flight. The airport caretaker reported that the pilot arrived at the airport three days before the accident with the airplane on a trailer. The pilot assembled the wings on the fuselage and worked on the engine in the days leading up to the accident. On the evening of the accident, the airport caretaker watched the pilot start the engine and taxi the airplane onto runway 20 at Prospect Airport (64S). This was at 1745 and it was nearly dark, as sunset had occurred at 1720. The caretaker observed the pilot add power, accelerate, and depart from runway 20, during which he collided with a runway light. He did not see the direction in which the pilot departed after becoming airborne. When the airplane had not returned after about 20 minutes, the caretaker’s assistant inspected the runway to see if the airplane was on airport property, which it was not. However, the assistant did report that the pilot’s truck was on the ramp and running, with one door open. The assistant further reported that tools were scattered over the ramp’s surface. With this information, the caretaker stated that he called 911 to report that he suspected the pilot was overdue. A search was initiated, and the pilot and the wreckage were located the following morning in dense brush and trees about 1.8 nautical miles southwest of the departure end of runway 20. The wings and fuselage were substantially damaged. The pilot reported to the caretaker that he thought the magnetos had failed. Both magnetos were removed and tested under the supervision of a Federal Aviation Administration inspector. Both magnetos functioned properly, and no anomalies were noted. According to the wreckage recovery company, the fuel tank was examined prior to moving the wreckage. The tank was found undamaged, and it contained no fuel. They noted that there was no smell of fuel or visible signs of pooling fuel at the scene. Multiple attempts by the NTSB IIC to contact the non-rated pilot to discuss the accident and to secure the airframe and engine logbooks for inspection were unsuccessful. The pilot did not submit the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident/Incident Report Form 6120.1 . ## Aircraft - Registration: [N12037](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N12037-2019-12-20), registration cancelled 2019-12-20, S/N 1001, built 1964 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Whittman 8-W Modified - Registry model: [Whittman Tailwind 8-W MODIFIED](https://openairdocs.org/model/whittman-tailwind-8-w-modified) (registry code 979029L) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental C90 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c90-series) (registry code 17009, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1001 - Year built: 1964 - Engines: Continental Motors C90 reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental light sport (Special) - Departed: 64S, Prospect, OR - Destination: 64S, Prospect, OR - Airport: 64S, Prospect State Airport, runway 20, 4,000 × 50 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Unknown ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 34; injuries: serious; seat: left ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 39 °F - Altimeter: 30.05 inHg - Observed at: MFR, 28 nm away ## 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 20190128000419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190128000419A), Jan 28, 2019: Whittman Tailwind 8-W MODIFIED, Prospect, OR, Substantial damage. A 34 year old male assembled a Whittman Tailwind airplane with no assistance . He departed solo from Prospect Airport, Oregon. The aircraft crashed shortly… ## Docket (5 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 20, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98910. 7.0 MB in all. - FAA inspector's interview statement (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12242736&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FAA%20inspector%27s%20interview%20statement_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Salvage company examination report (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 701 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12241940&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Salvage%20company%20examination%20report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Magneto examinations (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12242895&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Magneto%20examination%20-%20Aircraft%20Magneto%20Services%20%20June%2010,%202019_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 4, PDF, 1 page, 723 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12242354&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Release%20of%20Wreckage_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array of accident site area (item 5, PDF, 6 pages, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12818836&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20array%20of%20accident%20site-Rel.pdf 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.