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NTSB Report
March 15, 1984 · Southern Comfort · N19FH
Lakeland, FL
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 15, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Lakeland, FL
Aircraft
Southern Comfort
Tail Number
N19FH
Operator
John H Helton
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
MIA84FA106
WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATICS AT AN AIRSHOW, THE FABRIC ON TOP OF THE UPPER WING STARTED SEPARATING FROM THE WING. THE PLT CONTINUED FLYING THE ACFT & TRIED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. HOWEVER, WHEN FLT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED WITH FULL POWER, DUE TO LOSS OF AIRSPEED & ALT, THE PLT PARACHUTED FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD & BURNED. THE PLT'S PARACHUTE OPENED JUST SECONDS BEFORE HE IMPACTED THE GROUND. HE RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES DURING GROUND CONTACT AFTER INITIATING HIS BAIL-OUT AT APRX 500 FT. THE OWNER/BUILDER STATED THAT HE REALIZED THAT FABRIC OF AEROBATIC ACFT NORMALLY HAVE STICHES 1 INCH APART, BUT HE BUILT HIS WITH STICHES 2 INCHES APART. HE STATED THAT WHEN HE BUILT THE ACFT, HE DID NOT PLAN TO ALLOW AEROBATICS TO BE DONE WITH THE ACFT.
Full Narrative
WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATICS AT AN AIRSHOW, THE FABRIC ON TOP OF THE UPPER WING STARTED SEPARATING FROM THE WING. THE PLT CONTINUED FLYING THE ACFT & TRIED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. HOWEVER, WHEN FLT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED WITH FULL POWER, DUE TO LOSS OF AIRSPEED & ALT, THE PLT PARACHUTED FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD & BURNED. THE PLT'S PARACHUTE OPENED JUST SECONDS BEFORE HE IMPACTED THE GROUND. HE RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES DURING GROUND CONTACT AFTER INITIATING HIS BAIL-OUT AT APRX 500 FT. THE OWNER/BUILDER STATED THAT HE REALIZED THAT FABRIC OF AEROBATIC ACFT NORMALLY HAVE STICHES 1 INCH APART, BUT HE BUILT HIS WITH STICHES 2 INCHES APART. HE STATED THAT WHEN HE BUILT THE ACFT, HE DID NOT PLAN TO ALLOW AEROBATICS TO BE DONE WITH THE ACFT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:35 EST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftSouthern Comfort
Tail NumberN19FH
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJohn H Helton
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · W-670 · Reciprocating · 220
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 51 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind50° @ 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time19:47
Weather SourceWFAC