Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
the pilot's failure to perform a preflight inspection, which resulted in a loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
Aircraft Information
Analysis
On August 23, 1994, about 2025 eastern daylight time, a Rans S-14 Airaile, an unregistered, homebuilt airplane, was destroyed, during a forced landing at a private airport in Pheonixville, Pennsylvania. The student pilot received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
A witness stated,
[The] pilot started aircraft by hand propping. No preflight inspection [was] done. [The] pilot taxied out of parking area to east end of [the] runway and commenced [the] takeoff run to the west. Aircraft climbed sharply after take off and then made [a] 90 degree right turn and continued climbing to approximately 300-400 feet of altitude. Engine stoppage occurred at a 180 degree turn to the right, followed by noticeable porposing of [the] aircraft as it continued across [the] runway, followed by entrance into 180-270 degree turn to [the] left. Lost sight of [the] aircraft [and] heard crash sounds....
The airplane came to rest south of the runway, where it impacted trees.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspector, initial examination indicated the presence of water in the aft carburetor bowl. Additionally, a fuel vent shut off valve was found in the closed position.
An engine test run was performed by Kolb Aircraft Inc., of Pheonixville, Pennsylvania, under the supervision of the FAA. The engine test run results stated that the engine ran smoothly.
The student pilot's total flight time was unable to be determined.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# BFO94LA147