John D. Williams XT-912 accident near Newport News, Virginia, July 12, 2007
On July 12, 2007 at about 11:36 pm local time, a John D. Williams XT-912, registered N133W, was substantially damaged in an accident near Newport News, Virginia. It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's failure to comply with FAA and engine manufacturer directives resulting in deterioration of fuel system components by fuel containing ethanol and blockage of the fuel filter by contaminants.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 12, 2007 · about 11:36 pm local time
- Place
- Newport News, Virginia · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- John D. Williams XT-912
- Registration
- N133W · registry record · serial XT-016
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot performed a preflight inspection of the airplane which included checking the fuel tank for contaminants; none were found. He was operating the airplane using unleaded automotive fuel containing up to 10 percent ethanol. He then departed on a local pleasure flight and approximately 30 minutes later, the engine began to cough. He looked for a landing area and while doing so, the engine began sputtering and losing power. He maneuvered for a forced landing to a field but the flight was too high and fast. He then performed S type turns in an effort to land in another field but the right main landing gear contacted the ground causing the gear to collapse. Postaccident examination of the engine revealed the element of the in-line fuel filter was blocked by contaminant which restricted flow from the filter. Additionally, the in-line fuel filter was 3/4 full of water; however, the carburetor bowl was full of clean fuel. No evidence of preimpact mechanical failure or malfunction was noted with the engine. An FAA issued SAIB indicates that fuel containing alcohol can have an affect on fuel system components and should not be used. A Rotax Service Instruction indicates that fuel containing more than 5 percent alcohol is not to be used.
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, sport pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 510 hours in all; 369 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 460 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, February 1, 2007
- Maximum gross weight: 996 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Rotax 912UL (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: JGG Williamsburg VA at 11:00 pm
- Destination: JGG Williamsburg VA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 8,000 ft
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 57°F (14°C)
- Altimeter: 29.92 inHg
- Observation at 11:54 pm from PHF
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.