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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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July 22, 1984 · Nesmith Cougar 1 · N3456

Williams, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 1984
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Williams, AZ
Aircraft
Nesmith Cougar 1
Tail Number
N3456
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX84LA408

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND AT THE WILLIAMS MUNI ARPT FOR A REST STOP. HE NOTED THAT RWY 2/20 WAS CLOSED; HOWEVER, HE OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A NEW GRAVEL STRIP, ORIENTED NORTH/SOUTH & AN AIRPLANE ON THE ARPT. THE PLT ASSUMED THE ARPT WAS OPEN & PROCEEDED TO LAND ON THE GRAVEL STRIP. THE SURFACE OF THE GRAVEL STRIP WAS SOFT. JUST BEFORE THE ACFT STOPPED, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE PLANE NOSED OVER. RWY 2/20 WAS NOTAMED CLOSED UNTIL 9/1/84. DURING THIS TIME, CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW RWY (18/36) WAS UNDERWAY. IT WAS ON THIS RWY THAT THE PLT HAD LANDED.

Full Narrative

WHILE EN ROUTE, THE PLT ELECTED TO LAND AT THE WILLIAMS MUNI ARPT FOR A REST STOP. HE NOTED THAT RWY 2/20 WAS CLOSED; HOWEVER, HE OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE A NEW GRAVEL STRIP, ORIENTED NORTH/SOUTH & AN AIRPLANE ON THE ARPT. THE PLT ASSUMED THE ARPT WAS OPEN & PROCEEDED TO LAND ON THE GRAVEL STRIP. THE SURFACE OF THE GRAVEL STRIP WAS SOFT. JUST BEFORE THE ACFT STOPPED, THE NOSE GEAR COLLAPSED & THE PLANE NOSED OVER. RWY 2/20 WAS NOTAMED CLOSED UNTIL 9/1/84. DURING THIS TIME, CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW RWY (18/36) WAS UNDERWAY. IT WAS ON THIS RWY THAT THE PLT HAD LANDED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:30 MST
Nearest AirportWilliams Municipal (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length4500 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftNesmith Cougar 1
Tail NumberN3456
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290-D2 · Reciprocating · 135
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 41 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 7 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 50
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time15:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data