South Mississippi Light Aircra BUCCANEER II N618BC

Summary

On 13 June 1999 at about 18:15 local time, a South Mississippi Light Aircra BUCCANEER II registered N618BC was involved in an accident near Panacea, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and one was seriously injured, one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

13 June 1999 at 18:15

Classification

Accident

Location

Panacea, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Wakulla County (2JO)

Coordinates

30.0296, -84.3808

Aircraft

South Mississippi Light Aircra BUCCANEER II

Registration

N618BC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA99LA183

1 person was seriously injured.

The intentional continued operation of the airplane by the pilot-in-command with known deficiencies with the pitot system after takeoff, resulting in erroneous airspeed indications, and inadvertent stall by the pilot resulting in the uncontrolled descent into the water.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that he previously had a discrepancy with the end of the plastic tubing that connected to the pitot tube. He had cut the damaged end off and reconnected the tubing to the pitot tube and also had replacement tubing in his car but he reported that he 'did not have time to replace it.' The accident flight departed and while flying over the bay, the pilot recognized that the airspeed indication was incorrect based on the power setting and visual clues. He elected to continue the flight and stated that the airplane did not turn with left rudder and slight left aileron. He added full power; the engine responded and he expected to land in the bay to identify the discrepancy with the airspeed indicator. The flight climbed to 100-150 feet above ground level, where while in a climb attitude, he applied right rudder. The airplane then reportedly entered either an accelerated stall or an uncoordinated turn, rolled to the right, pitched nose down, then impacted the water. He further stated that there was no engine or flight control preimpact failure or malfunction.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.