Loss of Engine Power (Total): Taylorcraft BC-12-D, N95131; accident occurred October 01, 2019 near Grand Strand Airport (KCRE), North Myrtle Beach, Horry County, South Carolina

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; West Columbia, South Carolina

Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board:  https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf

Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms

https://registry.faa.gov/N95131

Location: Longs, SC

Accident Number: GAA20CA001

Date & Time: 10/01/2019, 1055 EDT

Registration: N95131

Aircraft: Taylorcraft BC12

Aircraft Damage: Substantial

Defining Event: Loss of engine power (total)

Injuries: 1 None

Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal

Analysis 

The pilot reported that, during preflight preparations, he estimated that the flight time would be about 2 hours 29 minutes with a total fuel burn of 10.1 gallons. The airplane departed with 12 gallons of fuel. About 2 hours 25 minutes into the flight, the engine quit. The pilot navigated toward a nearby field to make an off-airport landing. During the landing, he saw a deep ditch and a house, so he attempted to ground loop the airplane to the left. Both wings impacted trees. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported as a safety recommendation that adding a fuel stop would have prevented the accident.

The Federal Aviation Administrator inspector who examined the airplane reported that the nose tank had evidence of fuel being in it recently (the indicator cork was still wet with fuel), but no fuel remained in the tank. Both the right and left wing tanks were examined, and no fuel remained in either tank. No evidence of a fuel spill was found on the airplane or the ground.

Probable Cause and Findings

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:

The pilot's improper fuel planning, which resulted in fuel exhaustion, a total loss of engine power, an off-airport landing, and impact with trees.

Findings

Aircraft

Fuel - Fluid level (Cause)

Personnel issues

Fuel planning - Pilot (Cause)

Environmental issues

Tree(s) - Effect on operation (Cause)

Factual Information

History of Flight

Enroute

Fuel exhaustion

Loss of engine power (total) (Defining event)

Landing

Off-field or emergency landing

Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)

Pilot Information

Certificate: Commercial
Age: 66, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Multi-engine Land; Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Left
Other Aircraft Rating(s):None
Restraint Used: 
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane Multi-engine; Airplane Single-engine; Instrument Airplane
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: Class 2 With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 11/09/2018
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 08/16/2018
Flight Time:  (Estimated) 5094 hours (Total, all aircraft), 27 hours (Total, this make and model), 5094 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 36 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 8 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft), 3 hours (Last 24 hours, all aircraft)

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Taylorcraft
Registration: N95131
Model/Series: BC12 D
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1959
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 9531
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 08/16/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 1200 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 4791.1 Hours at time of accident
Engine Manufacturer: Continental
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: A65-8
Registered Owner: N95131 Aviation Llc
Rated Power: 65 hp
Operator: N95131 Aviation Llc
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KCRE, 33 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 7 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 1453 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 174°
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Visibility:  10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling: Overcast / 5500 ft agl
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 10 knots /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 20°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / N/A
Altimeter Setting: 30.15 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C / 21°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Forest, VA (W90)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: North Myrtle Beach, SC (CRE)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0830 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class G

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 None 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:N/A 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 None

Latitude, Longitude: 33.929722, -78.735556 (est)