N556TW

Substantial
None

STOL LLC JA30 SUPERSTOLS/N: JA294-03-13

Accident Details

Date
Sunday, August 2, 2015
NTSB Number
ERA15CA295
Location
West Union, SC
Event ID
20150804X85927
Coordinates
34.752777, -82.993057
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

A loss of engine power while maneuvering due to water contamination in the fuel.

Aircraft Information

Registration
N556TW
Make
STOL LLC
Serial Number
JA294-03-13
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
2014
Model / ICAO
JA30 SUPERSTOLSA30
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1

Registered Owner (Historical)

Name
STOL LLC
Address
170 DUCK POND RD
Status
Deregistered
City
WALHALLA
State / Zip Code
SC 29691-5313
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot stated that he and the passenger were nearing the conclusion of a local flight when the engine began to "sputter and run rough." The engine momentarily ran smooth before it began to run rough a second time, followed by a total loss of power. The pilot maneuvered the airplane for a forced landing, and stated that engine power was restored just prior to impact with trees and terrain. The airplane came to rest upright, and sustained substantial damage to both wings and the empennage. During a postaccident wreckage examination a 1-quart fuel sample was drained from the airplane, and about half of the sample was water. The pilot stated that prior to the accident flight, he had mistakenly fueled the airplane from a container of contaminated fuel.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# ERA15CA295