# NTSB FTW84FA020: Grumman FM-2, N12371, Houston, TX, October 14, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 14, 1983, 13:15 local (18:15 UTC)
- Place: Houston, TX
- Location: 29.7633° N, 95.3633° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Houston, TX, within about 14 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.7633&lon=-95.3633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21070
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21070/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA020

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, approach - vfr pattern - downwind
  - fluid,oil - starvation (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

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.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N12371 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: GRUMMAN FM-2
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 86750
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: WRIGHT 1820-56A 1350 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack B. Barnett Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: 586, Lakeside, runway 15, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 30 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19831014054409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831014054409A), Oct 14, 1983: Gruman FM2CARLISLE, Houston, TX, Destroyed. Engne seized turning base. Turned away. Aircraft stalled. Spun in and burned. Connecting rods broke. Lack of oil.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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