Narrative:
The aircraft was to be ferried from Walterboro to Charleston, South Carolina after a period of non-use, except one flight, of about two years. Following takeoff and two circles of the airport, course was set for Charleston at an altitude of about 1,000 feet. Shortly thereafter the left engine followed by the right began to surge and lose power. In the attempt to reach an open field beyond trees the aircraft stalled and crashed.
Examination of the wreckage revealed water contamination of the fuel system of the aircraft. Evidence of water was found in the left main fuel feed line and cylinders of the left engine. The right carburettor screen was excessively corroded and a fuel sample showed pronounced evidence of water. Cylinders of the right engine revealed water.
The left and right fuel selector valve screen showed no evidence of having been pulled and cleaned and there was water present in both screens. The refueling facility from which the aircraft had been refueled was examined for water but none was found. From the above evidence it was obvious that water contamination caused the power failure and that preparation of the aircraft for the flight after a prolonged period of non-use was inadequate.
Probable Causes: (1) Power failure of both engines caused by fuel contamination . (2) Inadequate preflight preparation of the fuel system following a prolonged period of nonuse of the aircraft.
Loss of control
| Status: | Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
| Date: | Monday 14 August 1961 |
| Type: |  Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina |
| Operator: | Unknown |
| Registration: | N10019 |
| MSN: | 1697 |
| First flight: | |
| Crew: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Passengers: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 0 |
| Total: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 3 |
| Aircraft damage: | Damaged beyond repair |
| Location: | near Walterboro Municipal Airport, SC (RBW) ( United States of America)
|
| Phase: | En route (ENR) |
| Nature: | Ferry/positioning |
| Departure airport: | Walterboro Municipal Airport, SC (RBW/KRBW), United States of America |
| Charleston Municipal Airport, SC (CHS/KCHS), United States of America |
The aircraft was to be ferried from Walterboro to Charleston, South Carolina after a period of non-use, except one flight, of about two years. Following takeoff and two circles of the airport, course was set for Charleston at an altitude of about 1,000 feet. Shortly thereafter the left engine followed by the right began to surge and lose power. In the attempt to reach an open field beyond trees the aircraft stalled and crashed.
Examination of the wreckage revealed water contamination of the fuel system of the aircraft. Evidence of water was found in the left main fuel feed line and cylinders of the left engine. The right carburettor screen was excessively corroded and a fuel sample showed pronounced evidence of water. Cylinders of the right engine revealed water.
The left and right fuel selector valve screen showed no evidence of having been pulled and cleaned and there was water present in both screens. The refueling facility from which the aircraft had been refueled was examined for water but none was found. From the above evidence it was obvious that water contamination caused the power failure and that preparation of the aircraft for the flight after a prolonged period of non-use was inadequate.
Probable Cause:
Probable Causes: (1) Power failure of both engines caused by fuel contamination . (2) Inadequate preflight preparation of the fuel system following a prolonged period of nonuse of the aircraft.
Classification:
Fuel contamination Loss of control
Sources:
» Consolidated production list / G. GoodallPhotos
Map
This map shows the airport of departure and the intended destination of the flight. The line between the airports does not display the exact flight path.
Distance from Walterboro Municipal Airport, SC to Charleston Municipal Airport, SC as the crow flies is 56 km (35 miles).
Distance from Walterboro Municipal Airport, SC to Charleston Municipal Airport, SC as the crow flies is 56 km (35 miles).
This information is not presented as the Flight Safety Foundation or the Aviation Safety Network’s opinion as to the cause of the accident. It is preliminary and is based on the facts as they are known at this time.
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