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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 21, 1982 · Pitts S2S · N31461

Somerville, TN

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 1982
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Somerville, TN
Aircraft
Pitts S2S
Tail Number
N31461
Operator
Howard M Mullins
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL82DA206

SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN DURING A FORMATION LANDING, THE WINGMAN'S AIRCRAFT STRUCK AN ENGINE STAND THAT HAD BEEN PLACED OVER A HOLE IN THE RUNWAY. THE HOLE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 900 FT FROM THE APPROACH END AND WAS ABOUT 2 FT LONG, 1 FT WIDE, AND 1 FT DEEP. IT WAS MADE WHEN THE NOSEWHEEL OF A SABRELINER HAD BROKEN THROUGH THE ASPHALT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. FLIGHT SERVICE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED AND A NOTAM WAS ISSUED, BUT THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FSS HAD NOT RECEIVED IT UNTIL AFTER THE OCCURRENCE. THE MEMPHIS FAA AIRPORTS DISTRICT OFFICE HAD INSTRUCTED THAT THE AIRPORT BE MARKED CLOSED WITH AN "X" ACROSS THE ENDS OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CLOSED MARKINGS PLACED ON THE RUNWAYS.

Full Narrative

SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN DURING A FORMATION LANDING, THE WINGMAN'S AIRCRAFT STRUCK AN ENGINE STAND THAT HAD BEEN PLACED OVER A HOLE IN THE RUNWAY. THE HOLE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 900 FT FROM THE APPROACH END AND WAS ABOUT 2 FT LONG, 1 FT WIDE, AND 1 FT DEEP. IT WAS MADE WHEN THE NOSEWHEEL OF A SABRELINER HAD BROKEN THROUGH THE ASPHALT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. FLIGHT SERVICE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED AND A NOTAM WAS ISSUED, BUT THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FSS HAD NOT RECEIVED IT UNTIL AFTER THE OCCURRENCE. THE MEMPHIS FAA AIRPORTS DISTRICT OFFICE HAD INSTRUCTED THAT THE AIRPORT BE MARKED CLOSED WITH AN "X" ACROSS THE ENDS OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CLOSED MARKINGS PLACED ON THE RUNWAYS.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:40 CDT
Nearest AirportFayette County (0nm N)
Runway18
Runway Length3500 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPitts S2S
Tail NumberN31461
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorHoward M Mullins
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-540-A4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 4 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point20 C / 0 C
Altimeter0

External Links

Appendix: Source Data