Beech B19 accident near Birmingham, Michigan, July 26, 1993
On July 26, 1993 at about 11:20 pm local time, a Beech B19, registered N1976W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Birmingham, Michigan (Oakland-Troy airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 3 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
AN IMPROPER GRADE OF FUEL WAS LOADED INTO THE AIRPLANE BY THE OWNER/OPERATOR OF THE RENTAL AIRPLANE, IMPROPER PLANNING AND/OR DECISION BY THE PILOT, AND SUBSEQUENT VAPOR LOCK IN THE FUEL SYSTEM OF THE AIRPLANE (FUEL SYSTEM - OTHER), WHICH RESULTED IN FUEL STARVATION.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 26, 1993 · about 11:20 pm local time
- Place
- Birmingham, Michigan · Oakland-Troy · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 3 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Beech B19 · all B19s on the register
- Registration
- N1976W · no longer on the register · serial MB-649
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING TAKEOFF, THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AS THE AIRPLANE PASSED OVER THE DEPARTURE END OF THE RUNWAY. HE PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING ON A RAILROAD BED BETWEEN TWO RAILROAD TRACKS, WHERE THE AIRPLANE WAS DAMAGED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN SERVICED WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL, WHICH WAS LISTED AS 87 OCTANE AND CONTAINED 10% ETHANOL. HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE WAS NOT CERTIFIED FOR AUTOMOTIVE FUEL. TESTS SHOWED THAT ENGINE OPERATION WAS NOT RELIABLE WITH AUTOMOTIVE FUEL DUE TO VAPOR LOCK. AN FAA/PMI PERSON REPORTED THE PILOT WAS AWARE OF THE USE OF AUTOMOTIVE FUEL IN THE AIRPLANE, THOUGH HE DID NOT SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFY AUTOMOTIVE DURING THE PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.
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: 71 hours in all; 7 in this make and model; 6 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 36 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,547 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 19, 1993; 92 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,250 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-320-E3D (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 7D2 at 11:15 pm
- Destination: 7D2
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 27, 3,846 ft by 50 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 270° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: ovct at 20,000 ft
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 11:55 pm from DET, 11 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 2 |
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.