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NTSB Report
July 14, 1985 · De Havilland DH 82A · N657DH
Ames, IA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 14, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Ames, IA
Aircraft
De Havilland DH 82A
Tail Number
N657DH
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MKC85LA165
THE OWNER HAD GIVEN THE PLT PERMISSION TO FLY THE ACFT & THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKE A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS MAKING A HI SPEED TAXI RUN ON THE GRASS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. HE REPORTED THAT THE LOWER RIGHT WING IMPACTED A RWY MARKER, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT; THEN THE LEFT GEAR FAILED & THE TAIL ROSE HIGH ENOUGH FOR THE PROP TO HIT THE GROUND & BREAK. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SAID THAT THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE WHEN SHE LOOKED IN THE MIRROR & SAW THE PLT GRAB FOR HIS HAT. THE NEXT THING SHE RECALLED WAS THAT THE ACFT HIT SOMETHING, THEN VEERED & CAME NOSE DOWN ON THE GRASS TERRAIN. REPORTEDLY, THE RWY MARKER WAS ONE THAT WAS REMAINING FROM A PERIOD WHEN THE RWY WAS A BROAD GRASS STRIP.
Full Narrative
THE OWNER HAD GIVEN THE PLT PERMISSION TO FLY THE ACFT & THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKE A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS MAKING A HI SPEED TAXI RUN ON THE GRASS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. HE REPORTED THAT THE LOWER RIGHT WING IMPACTED A RWY MARKER, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT; THEN THE LEFT GEAR FAILED & THE TAIL ROSE HIGH ENOUGH FOR THE PROP TO HIT THE GROUND & BREAK. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SAID THAT THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE WHEN SHE LOOKED IN THE MIRROR & SAW THE PLT GRAB FOR HIS HAT. THE NEXT THING SHE RECALLED WAS THAT THE ACFT HIT SOMETHING, THEN VEERED & CAME NOSE DOWN ON THE GRASS TERRAIN. REPORTEDLY, THE RWY MARKER WAS ONE THAT WAS REMAINING FROM A PERIOD WHEN THE RWY WAS A BROAD GRASS STRIP.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportAMESMUNI (0nm N)
Runway19
Runway Length3747 ft
Runway Width160 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDe Havilland DH 82A
Tail NumberN657DH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsBristol · GIPSY MAJOR · Reciprocating · 112
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 62 · None
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 15 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourcePILO