# NTSB FTW87LA015: Houk Pitts S1-S, N35DH, La Porte, TX, November 9, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 9, 1986, 14:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: La Porte, TX
- Coordinates: 29.660657, -95.039138 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.6607&lon=-95.0391&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Standing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/150) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 uninjured; on the ground: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22298
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22298/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87LA015

## Sequence of events

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

- Propeller/rotor contact to person, standing - starting engine(s)
  - ignition system,magneto - separation (cause)
  - judgment - poor, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - ignition system,high tension wiring - cracked (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)

## Analysis

A MECHANIC WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL THE PROP THROUGH ONE REVOLUTION PRIOR TO STARTING THE ENGINE ON A PITTS S1-S. DUE TO A BAD P-LEAD ON THE MAGNETO'S THE ENGINE FIRED, CAUSING THE PROP TO STRIKE THE RIGHT LEG OF THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANICS LEG WAS AMPUTATED JUST ABOVE THE RIGHT KNEE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N35DH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HOUK PITTS S1-S
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 524620912
- Airframe hours: 162
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: No damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William R. Cooke
- Departed: T41, LA PORTE, TX
- Airport: T41, La Porte Arpt.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 678 total, 152 in this make and model, 534 as pilot in command, 46 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19861109054239A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861109054239A), Nov 9, 1986: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, La Porte, TX. The ground crewman was injured when he incorrectly positioned himself during start. Magneto p lead found cracked.

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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