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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

November 9, 1986 · Houk Pitts S1-S · N35DH

La Porte, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 9, 1986
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Location
La Porte, TX
Aircraft
Houk Pitts S1-S
Tail Number
N35DH
Injuries
None
NTSB Number
FTW87LA015

A MECHANIC WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE PROP THROUGH ONE REVOLUTION PRIOR TO STARTING THE ENGINE ON A PITTS S1-S. DUE TO A BAD P-LEAD ON THE MAGNETO'S THE ENGINE FIRED, CAUSING THE PROP TO STRIKE THE RIGHT LEG OF THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANICS LEG WAS AMPUTATED JUST ABOVE THE RIGHT KNEE.

Full Narrative

A MECHANIC WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE PROP THROUGH ONE REVOLUTION PRIOR TO STARTING THE ENGINE ON A PITTS S1-S. DUE TO A BAD P-LEAD ON THE MAGNETO'S THE ENGINE FIRED, CAUSING THE PROP TO STRIKE THE RIGHT LEG OF THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANICS LEG WAS AMPUTATED JUST ABOVE THE RIGHT KNEE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 CST
Nearest AirportLa Porte Arpt. (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftHouk Pitts S1-S
Tail NumberN35DH
Aircraft CategoryAir
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-360-A4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured, 1 unknown outcome)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 48 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind40° @ 5 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data