# NTSB FTW84FA218: de Havilland Tiger Moth DH 82A, N82DS, San Antonio, TX, May 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1984, 19:30 local (May 3, 1984, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: San Antonio, TX
- Coordinates: 29.320287, -98.469421 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3203&lon=-98.4694&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21118
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA218
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21118/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA218

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - stall - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN PASTURE WITH TREES ON THE WESTERN PERIMETER. THE ACFT ATTITUDE AT IMPACT WAS NOSE DOWN AT A 30 TO 50 DEGREE ANGLE IN A RIGHT SPIRAL. THE MAIN FUEL TANK MOUNTED ON THE TOP WING OVER AND BEHIND THE ENGINE BROKE FROM ITS MOUNT ON IMPACT AND RUPTURED. A FIRE BROKE OUT AND CONSUMED THE ACFT. A 11 YR OLD BOY SAID HE SAW THE ACFT CLIMB OVER SOME TREES, MAKE A LEFT TURN AND THEN HE HEARD THE ENGINE QUIT RUNNING. THE ACFT NOSED OVER SHARPLY AND DESCENDED BELOW THE TREES. THE WITNESS THEN SAW THE FIRE BALL. PLTS WHO HAD FLOWN THE ACFT SAY IT STALLS WITHOUT WARNINGIF POWER IS RETARDED AND THE SPEED IS DISSIPATED AND THAT THE ACFT ALWAYS FELL OFF ON THE RIGHT WING DURING THE STALL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N82DS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N82DS-2007-06-18), registration cancelled 2007-06-18, S/N NL-904, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A (TIGER MOTH)
- Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Dehav ENG GIPSY MAJOR](https://openairdocs.org/engine/dehav-eng-gipsy-major) (registry code 20004, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: NL-904
- Airframe hours: 1859
- Engines: de Havilland 1C 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Confederate Air Force, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 1983
- Departed: SAN ANTONIO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,600 total, 25 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SSF, 10 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 19840502017019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840502017019A), May 2, 1984: Dhav DH82, San Antonio, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Witness stated that engine stopped and aircraft nosed over and descended below trees, fire erupted after crash.

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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