Amateur-built W-8 TAILWIND accident near Macclenny, Florida, October 13, 1996
On October 13, 1996 at about 4:35 pm local time, a amateur-built W-8 TAILWIND, registered N91323, was substantially damaged in an accident near Macclenny, Florida (Thrifts airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
the pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in loss of engine power due to fuel contamination.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 13, 1996 · about 4:35 pm local time
- Place
- Macclenny, Florida · Thrifts · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- instrument conditions (cloud, fog or low visibility)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built W-8 TAILWIND W-8 TAILWI
- Registration
- N91323 · registry record · serial 001
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot landed at a private airstrip and refueled with seven gallons of automotive fuel. After refueling the airplane, there was no record of the pilot checking for fuel contaminates in the fuel system. As the pilot taxied for takeoff, no aircraft problems were experienced. However, while climbing through 150 feet after takeoff, the pilot noted a rough engine condition followed by a loss of engine power. He elected to return to the airport for an emergency landing. Subsequently, the airplane collided with trees short of the airport. An examination of the airplane revealed contamination in the fuel system, which included rust/debris in the fuel tank, gasculator, carburetor inlet screen, and carburetor bowl. Examination of the engine (a surplus military Lycoming-Spencer O-290-G4) failed to disclose a mechanical problem.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 652 hours in all; 85 in this make and model; 22 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 652 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 84 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 2, 1995; 84 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,400 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Spencer O-290-G4 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: NONE at 5:30 pm
- Destination: 23J Herlong FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 9, 1,800 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 040° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:55 pm from NZC, 20 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N91323 the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, the folder of records gathered during the investigation, shown as the NTSB released them (the NTSB redacts some personal details first) and listed under the NTSB's own titles. This site's own text never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number ATL97LA003.