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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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July 24, 1982 · Austin S.E. 5A · N8040Z

Bolingbrook, IL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 24, 1982
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Bolingbrook, IL
Aircraft
Austin S.E. 5A
Tail Number
N8040Z
Operator
Robert F Zilinsky
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
CHI82DA270

THE PILOTS OF AN AUSTIN S.E. 5A AND A FOLKER (BOTH WW I REPLICA AIRCRAFT) AGREED TO MAKE A PHOTO FLY-BY. THE PILOT OF THE AUSTIN TOOK OFF AS NUMBER ONE, BUT INSTEAD OF REMAINING IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, HE TURNED OUT OF THE PATTERN. THE FOLKER PILOT FOLLOWED IN TRAIL. REPORTEDLY, THE TWO AIRCRAFT ENTERED A DOG FIGHT TYPE OF PATTERN WHICH INVOLVED TURNS, DIVES AND CLIMBS. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE AUSTIN WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A TURN OF ALMOST 180 DEGREES WHILE AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT. THE PLANE THEN ROLLED LEVEL AND THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN ABOUT 45 DEGREES. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE PLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND.

Full Narrative

THE PILOTS OF AN AUSTIN S.E. 5A AND A FOLKER (BOTH WW I REPLICA AIRCRAFT) AGREED TO MAKE A PHOTO FLY-BY. THE PILOT OF THE AUSTIN TOOK OFF AS NUMBER ONE, BUT INSTEAD OF REMAINING IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN, HE TURNED OUT OF THE PATTERN. THE FOLKER PILOT FOLLOWED IN TRAIL. REPORTEDLY, THE TWO AIRCRAFT ENTERED A DOG FIGHT TYPE OF PATTERN WHICH INVOLVED TURNS, DIVES AND CLIMBS. WHILE MANEUVERING, THE AUSTIN WAS OBSERVED TO MAKE A TURN OF ALMOST 180 DEGREES WHILE AT AN ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 200 TO 300 FT. THE PLANE THEN ROLLED LEVEL AND THE NOSE PITCHED DOWN ABOUT 45 DEGREES. SHORTLY AFTER THAT, THE PLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:33 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAustin S.E. 5A
Tail NumberN8040Z
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorRobert F Zilinsky
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-235-C1 · Reciprocating · 105
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind260° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4500 ft
Temperature / Dew Point18 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time12:50

Appendix: Source Data