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NTSB Report
July 22, 1983 · Sopwith Triplane · N5004
Allegany, NY
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 22, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Allegany, NY
Aircraft
Sopwith Triplane
Tail Number
N5004
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC83FFJ03
THE OWNER/PLT OF THE HOME BUILT, SOPWITH TRIPLANE TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL FLT. THIS WAS THE 1ST FLT SINCE SOME MAINTENANCE REWORK & A NEW PROPELLER INSTALLATION. AFTER THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE FOR APRX 20 MIN, IT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. REPORTEDLY, IT HAD JUST TURNED FROM NORTH TO A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING WHEN THE FUEL TANK (IN FRONT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL) EXPLODED. IMMEDIATELY, THE FUSELAGE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ACFT DESCENDED IN A SLOW GLIDE TO ITS IMPACT POINT. IF CAME TO REST AT AN EMBANKMENT IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE & WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE.
Full Narrative
THE OWNER/PLT OF THE HOME BUILT, SOPWITH TRIPLANE TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL FLT. THIS WAS THE 1ST FLT SINCE SOME MAINTENANCE REWORK & A NEW PROPELLER INSTALLATION. AFTER THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE FOR APRX 20 MIN, IT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. REPORTEDLY, IT HAD JUST TURNED FROM NORTH TO A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING WHEN THE FUEL TANK (IN FRONT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL) EXPLODED. IMMEDIATELY, THE FUSELAGE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ACFT DESCENDED IN A SLOW GLIDE TO ITS IMPACT POINT. IF CAME TO REST AT AN EMBANKMENT IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE & WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:20 EDT
Nearest AirportStar Aerodrome (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireIflt
Aircraft ExplosionIflt
Aircraft
AircraftSopwith Triplane
Tail NumberN5004
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsJacobs · R-755-B2 · Reciprocating · 275
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility50 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT