Ankenbruck SEA HAWK N101WR

Summary

On 12 November 1999 at about 18:45 local time, a Ankenbruck SEA HAWK registered N101WR was involved in an accident near Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

12 November 1999 at 18:45

Classification

Accident

Location

Somerset, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Somerset County Airport (2G9)

Coordinates

39.9998, -79.0707

Aircraft

Ankenbruck SEA HAWK

Registration

N101WR

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

IAD00LA005

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's improper preflight which resulted in a loss of power due to contaminated fuel, and the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control after the loss of power. A factor in the accident was fuel contamination.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot performed several high speed taxi runs to 'test the brakes', without the use of flaps. He then lowered the flaps, taxied 1/3 the distance down the runway, and power was added. As the airplane 'lifted slightly off the runway,' about 8-10 feet off the ground, the 'engine quit' and the airplane 'pitched over to the left.' The engine then regained power, and the pilot attempted to land the airplane. During the landing, the airplane made numerous contacts with the ground over a distance of 75 feet. The pilot stated he had no intention of flight on the day of the accident and when the airplane impacted the ground, 'it wasn't really flying.' Particles of the fuel tank lining were found in the fuel when it was drained from the main tank, after the accident. Fuel drained from the auxiliary tank resembled 'pond scum' and contained an odor of an aviation fuel and automobile gasoline mixture. Prior to the accident, the airplane had not been flown in five years.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.