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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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October 14, 1983 · Grumman FM-2 · N12371

Houston, TX

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 14, 1983
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Houston, TX
Aircraft
Grumman FM-2
Tail Number
N12371
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW84FA020

THE PLT HAD PURCHASED THE WWII FIGHTER ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT & IT HAD BEEN FLOWN SEVERAL HOURS DURING THE LAST FEW DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT INTENDED TO SHOOT TOUCH-&-GO'S ON THIS FLT. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO REMAIN IN THE PATTERN & THE ACFT OVERSHOT THE TURN TO FINAL. IT THEN MADE A 180 DEG LEFT TURN & ALIGNED WITHA SMALL CLEARING. IT THEN STALLED. SEVERAL PERSONS DESCRIBED THE ENG AS SPUTTERING, POPPING & OBSERVD SMOKE. THE PROPELLER WAS TURNING SLOWLY. ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE CONRODS FOR CLYS 3,4 & 5 HAD DISCONNECTED FROM THEIR MASTERROD ATTACH POINTS. THE ATTACHING PINS WERE HEAT DISCOLORED & DEEPLY SCORED.

Full Narrative

THE PLT HAD PURCHASED THE WWII FIGHTER ABOUT A WEEK BEFORE THE ACCIDENT & IT HAD BEEN FLOWN SEVERAL HOURS DURING THE LAST FEW DAYS BEFORE THE ACCIDENT. THE PLT INTENDED TO SHOOT TOUCH-&-GO'S ON THIS FLT. AFTER TAKEOFF THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO REMAIN IN THE PATTERN & THE ACFT OVERSHOT THE TURN TO FINAL. IT THEN MADE A 180 DEG LEFT TURN & ALIGNED WITHA SMALL CLEARING. IT THEN STALLED. SEVERAL PERSONS DESCRIBED THE ENG AS SPUTTERING, POPPING & OBSERVD SMOKE. THE PROPELLER WAS TURNING SLOWLY. ENG TEARDOWN REVEALED THAT THE CONRODS FOR CLYS 3,4 & 5 HAD DISCONNECTED FROM THEIR MASTERROD ATTACH POINTS. THE ATTACHING PINS WERE HEAT DISCOLORED & DEEPLY SCORED.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:15 CDT
Nearest AirportLAKESIDE (1nm NNW)
Runway15
Runway Length4000 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftGrumman FM-2
Tail NumberN12371
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWright · 1820-56A · Reciprocating · 1350
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 10 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point54
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:51
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data