# NTSB FTW86FA076: North American SNJ-5, N43775, Anadarko, OK, May 4, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 4, 1986, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Anadarko, OK
- Coordinates: 35.06068, -98.240539 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.0607&lon=-98.2405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21901
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA076
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21901/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA076

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire, cruise - normal
  - electrical system,generator - shorted (cause)
  - electrical system,electric wiring - overtemperature (cause)
  - fuselage,crew compartment - smoke (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - weather condition - unfavorable wind (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT RADIOED THAT HE HAD SMOKE IN THE COCKPIT. HE IMMEDIATELY MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDNG, DOWN WIND, IN A FARMER'S FIELD. WITNESSES SAW THE AIRCRAFT'S RIGHT WING DROP BEFORE THE PLANE TOUCHED DOWN. THE RESULTING IMPACT TORE THE WINGS AND ENGINE OFF, KILLING THE PILOT, BUT THE PASSENGER SURVIVED. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT A FIELD WIRE IN THE GENERATOR HAD SHORTED. THIS ALLOWED UNREGULATED VOLTAGE THROUGH PARTS OF THE WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSE THE INSULATION TO OVERHEAT AND SMOLDER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N43775](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N43775-2018-05-30), registration cancelled 2018-05-30, S/N 43775, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN SNJ-5
- Registry model: [North American SNJ-5](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-snj-5) (registry code 6400418) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 43775
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 550 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James C. Harris
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 1985
- Departed: LAW, LAWTON, OK
- Destination: PWA, OKLAHOMA CITY, OK

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 65,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 25 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAW, 24 nm away

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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