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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 16, 1982 · Windwagon · N8519F

Frederick, MD

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 16, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Frederick, MD
Aircraft
Windwagon
Tail Number
N8519F
Operator
Joe M Turlington
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL82FIG10

THIS WAS THE INITIAL TEST FLIGHT FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT. TWO GALLONS OF FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE AIRCRAFT WHICH DID NOT COMPLETELY FILL THE TANK. AFTER REFUELING, NUMEROUS HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS AND LOW ALTITUDE LIFT-OFFS AND LANDINGS WERE MADE ON RUNWAY 23. THE PILOT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO MAKE A NORMAL TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL. HE THEN TURNED 90 DEG LEFT AND CONTINUED CLIMBING TO ABOUT 300 FT AGL. ANOTHER 90 DEG TURN WAS MADE TO DOWNWIND AND THE CLIMB WAS CONTINUED UNTIL ABEAM THE MIDPOINT OF THE AIRPORT. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND THE PLANE ENTERED A SPIN AND CRASHED. THE CONDITION OF THE PROPELLER SUGGESTED THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING POWER AT IMPACT. NO INTERNAL MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. THE FUEL TANK HAD RUPTURED BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OR ODOR OF FUEL. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM TO THE ENGINE.

Full Narrative

THIS WAS THE INITIAL TEST FLIGHT FOR THE EXPERIMENTAL AMATEUR BUILT AIRCRAFT. TWO GALLONS OF FUEL WAS ADDED TO THE AIRCRAFT WHICH DID NOT COMPLETELY FILL THE TANK. AFTER REFUELING, NUMEROUS HIGH SPEED TAXI RUNS AND LOW ALTITUDE LIFT-OFFS AND LANDINGS WERE MADE ON RUNWAY 23. THE PILOT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO MAKE A NORMAL TAKEOFF AND CLIMB TO ABOUT 100 FT AGL. HE THEN TURNED 90 DEG LEFT AND CONTINUED CLIMBING TO ABOUT 300 FT AGL. ANOTHER 90 DEG TURN WAS MADE TO DOWNWIND AND THE CLIMB WAS CONTINUED UNTIL ABEAM THE MIDPOINT OF THE AIRPORT. AT ABOUT THAT TIME, THE RIGHT WING DROPPED AND THE PLANE ENTERED A SPIN AND CRASHED. THE CONDITION OF THE PROPELLER SUGGESTED THE ENGINE WAS NOT DEVELOPING POWER AT IMPACT. NO INTERNAL MALFUNCTION WAS EVIDENT. THE FUEL TANK HAD RUPTURED BUT THERE WAS NO SIGN OR ODOR OF FUEL. NO FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL SYSTEM TO THE ENGINE.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:10 EDT
Nearest AirportFrederick Muni. (0nm N)
Runway23
Runway Length3800 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftWindwagon
Tail NumberN8519F
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorJoe M Turlington
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsWatson "Vw" · GW-10 · Reciprocating · 36
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 28 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 6 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point20 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg

Appendix: Source Data