Taylorcraft BC-12D accident near Warrenton, Virginia, July 27, 1991
On July 27, 1991 at about 8:30 pm local time, a Taylorcraft BC-12D, registered N43494, was substantially damaged in an accident near Warrenton, Virginia (Warrenton-Fauquia airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT OPERATIONS, WHICH FAILED TO DETECT THE PRESENCE OF WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL SYSTEM, AND RESULTED IN THE LOSS OF POWER AND SUBSEQUENT FORCED LANDING. OTHER RELATED FACTOR: STANDING WATER ON THE GRASSY AREA.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 27, 1991 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Warrenton, Virginia · Warrenton-Fauquia
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Taylorcraft BC-12D · all BC-12Ds on the register
- Registration
- N43494 · no longer on the register · serial 116
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
BEFORE THE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT WAS REFUELED. THE PILOT COMPLETED HIS PREFLIGHT WHICH INCLUDED DRAINING THE SUMPS. HE DID NOT NOTICE ANY WATER IN THE FUEL. HE STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF AND REACHING AN ALTITUDE OF 500 FEET AGL, THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE SAID HE TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. HE TRIED TO REVERSE DIRECTION AND LAND ON THE RUNWAY BUT HE WAS ONLY ABLE TO LAND ON THE GRASSY AREA. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH SOME STANDING WATER AND NOSED OVER. FAA EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED WATER CONTAMINATION IN THE FUEL TANKS.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,158 hours in all; 99 in this make and model; 110 in the last 90 days; 35 in the last 30 days; 1,079 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rgt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 127 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, November 19, 1991; 128 hours since
- Seats: 0
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-A2B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 6, 2,087 ft by 40 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 130° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds; clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 63°F (17°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
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.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.