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NTSB Report
July 19, 1986 · Whittman WD (BIGX) · N31637
Sheldahl, IA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 19, 1986
Injury Outcomes
3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Location
Sheldahl, IA
Aircraft
Whittman WD (BIGX)
Tail Number
N31637
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MKC86FA151
WITNESSES STATE THAT THEY SAW TWO AIRPLANES, ONE SILVER AND ONE RED, CLIMBING NORTHBOUND TO CRUISE ALTITUDE IN LOOSE FORMATION WHEN THE RED AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE BACKFIRED AND THE ANTIQUE FABRIC-COVERED AIRCRAFT STARTED BURNING. FLAMES FIVE TO EIGHT FEET IN LENGTH BEGAN CONSUMING THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT BOTTOM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FUSELAGE UNDERSIDE AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING AN EMERGENCY DESCENT INTO A SOY BEAN FIELD, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES. THE AIRCRAFT HAD THE FIELD MADE, AND WAS AT APPROXIMATELY FIVE HUNDRED FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WHEN THE LEFT WING CAUGHT FIRE, THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED INVERTED, AND NOSED DIVED INTO THE SOY BEAN FIELD WHERE IT EXPLODED ON IMPACT.
Full Narrative
WITNESSES STATE THAT THEY SAW TWO AIRPLANES, ONE SILVER AND ONE RED, CLIMBING NORTHBOUND TO CRUISE ALTITUDE IN LOOSE FORMATION WHEN THE RED AIRCRAFT'S ENGINE BACKFIRED AND THE ANTIQUE FABRIC-COVERED AIRCRAFT STARTED BURNING. FLAMES FIVE TO EIGHT FEET IN LENGTH BEGAN CONSUMING THE AIRCRAFT'S LEFT BOTTOM ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND FUSELAGE UNDERSIDE AS THE PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING AN EMERGENCY DESCENT INTO A SOY BEAN FIELD, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES. THE AIRCRAFT HAD THE FIELD MADE, AND WAS AT APPROXIMATELY FIVE HUNDRED FEET ABOVE GROUND LEVEL WHEN THE LEFT WING CAUGHT FIRE, THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED INVERTED, AND NOSED DIVED INTO THE SOY BEAN FIELD WHERE IT EXPLODED ON IMPACT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:55 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftWhittman WD (BIGX)
Tail NumberN31637
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsFranklin · 6A4-150-B3 · Reciprocating · 150
Seats4
People & Injuries
Injury Summary3 injuries (3 fatalities)
Fatal3
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total3
Crew 1Age 43 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind350° @ 6 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time14:53
Weather SourceWFAC