Aviation Accident Summary NYC83FFJ03

ALLEGANY, NY, USA

Aircraft #1

N5004

SOPWITH TRIPLANE

Analysis

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.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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