Amateur-built WS-15-2 accident near Parkton, North Carolina, November 7, 1998
On November 7, 1998 at about 5:55 pm local time, a amateur-built WS-15-2, registered N88760, was substantially damaged in an accident near Parkton, North Carolina (Hall Field Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The collapse of the carburetor heat box hose which starved the carburetor of air resulting in a partial loss of power, forced landing and nose over. Factors were the weeds and stocky stubble in the forced landing zone.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 7, 1998 · about 5:55 pm local time
- Place
- Parkton, North Carolina · Hall Field Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built WS-15-2
- Registration
- N88760 · registry record · serial 2
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the pilot, during the take off climb, approximately 50 feet above ground level, engine rpm dropped from 3000 rpm to about 2000 rpm, and altitude could not be maintained. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft to avoid obstructions ahead and performed a forced landing in a field adjacent to the runway. The aircraft nosed over on the landing roll, resulting in substantial damage. The pilot exited the aircraft with no injuries. Post crash examination of the engine revealed that the carburetor heat was in the 'on' position. The wires that hold the carburetor heat box hose open were found bunched toward the bottom of the inlet to the box, allowing the hose to collapse, and starving the carburetor of air.
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: 298 hours in all; 60 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 560 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 23, 1998; 11 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 900 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Volkswagen 043101102A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: 4W3 Fuquay-Angier NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 3, 2,000 ft by 200 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 340° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 54°F (12°C), dew point 27°F (-3°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from FAY, 12 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
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 docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site 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 ATL99LA012.