Wittman TAILWIND W8L N9052C
27 October 1993 · San Jose, California, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 27 October 1993 at about 21:39 local time, a Wittman TAILWIND W8L registered N9052C, operated by Alfred E. McCaulou, was involved in an accident near San Jose, California, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 21:39
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- San Jose, California, United States
- Nearest airport
- San Jose Intl
- Coordinates
- 37.3394, -121.8991
- Aircraft
- Wittman TAILWIND W8L
- Registration
- N9052C
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Alfred E. McCaulou
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Watsonville → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX94LA025
People
2 people died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR AN UNDETERMINED REASON(S). A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE UNSUITABLE NATURE OF THE TERRAIN ENCOUNTERED DURING THE FORCED LANDING.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN IN STORAGE FOR 10 YRS. IN MAY 1993, IT WAS REMOVED FROM STORAGE AND A CONDITION INSPECTION PERFORMED. THE ACCIDENT FLIGHT WAS THE SECOND SINCE REMOVAL FROM STORAGE. AFTER THE AIRPLANE WAS SEQUENCED FOR LANDING, THE LOCAL CONTROLLER HEARD A GARBLED TRANSMISSION FROM THE AIRPLANE CONCERNING THE ENGINE. NO FURTHER TRANSMISSIONS WERE HEARD. GROUND WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE APPEARED TO BE ATTEMPTING TO LAND ON A RESIDENTIAL CITY STREET WITH THE PROPELLER STOPPED. IT THEN COLLIDED WITH 3 TREES, A PARKED PICKUP TRUCK, AND THE STREET. FIRE CONSUMED THE AIRPLANE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DRAINED ABOUT 10 GALS OF FUEL FROM THE FUSELAGE TANK AFTER THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE DRAINED FUEL HAD AN ODOR AND COLOR SIMILAR TO AUTOMOTIVE GASOLINE. THE ENGINE WAS SUBSEQUENTLY INSTALLED ON A TEST STAND AND RUN FOR 4 MIN 40 SECS. MAGNETO CHECKS WERE SATISFACTORY, AND THE ENGINE RESPONDED WELL TO RAPID THROTTLE MOVEMENTS.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Wittman TAILWIND accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Aug 1988 | Wittman TAILWIND W-8 | Watsonville, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Jul 1993 | Cessna 310H | Lancaster, California, United States | Yehiem Konski | Fatal | 6 |
| 14 Nov 1993 | Cessna 182 | Colusa, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jan 1993 | Cessna 172P | Sun City, California, United States | Hiser Helicopters, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 31 Jul 1993 | Robinson R44 | El Monte, California, United States | Benjamin F. Venti, SR. | Fatal | 3 |
| 17 Nov 1993 | Piper PA-38-112 | Fresno, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Jan 1993 | Beechcraft A35 | Tulare, California, United States | Rent and Lease Programs | Fatal | 2 |