FTW98LA175

While maneuvering in the vicinity of a local car racing drag strip, less than 1 mile from the departure runway, the airplane struck an unmarked wire. The pilot maintained control of the airplane, flew direct to an airport, and landed the airplane without further incident. The top 20 percent of the rudder had separated from the airplane and the fabric on the rudder was torn. Local authorities found a ball of wire in the engine cowling.

On April 5, 1998, at 1300 central daylight time, a North American, Harvard 2 single engine airplane, N92871, struck a wire while maneuvering near Newport, Arkansas. The aircraft, owned by Tennessee Warbird, Inc., Las Vegas, Nevada, was flown by a private individual under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured and the airplane sustained substantial damage. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated near the time of the accident. A flight plan was not filed.

During a personal telephone interview, conducted by the investigator-in-charge (IIC), at 1100 on April 8, 1998, the pilot stated that the flight originated from Millington, Tennessee, and arrived at Newport at noon, and planned an afternoon return flight to Millington. The pilot attended the local drag races that he observed from the race tower. Following the races, he made a pass over the raceway to survey the area for a low pass outside the spectator area. During the survey pass, the pilot observed power lines and the tree line; however, he did not see a wire at the far end of the raceway. During the low pass, the airplane struck the wire. The pilot climbed the airplane with lateral control problems straight ahead, used the GPS to locate the nearest airport (Weiner 8 miles), and landed without further incident. Upon his inspection of the aircraft, he found the top 20 percent of the rudder was missing and the fabric on the rudder was torn. The pilot taxied the airplane to the ramp area, secured the rudder fabric with duct tape, tied down the airplane, and reported the accident to the owner.

On the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2), the pilot stated that the flight departed runway 36 at the Newport Municipal Airport, Newport, Arkansas, and made a climbing departure turn to the left [west]. When the airplane was perpendicular to the runway, the pilot leveled the airplane and reversed the flight course to parallel the taxiway. Then the pilot descended the airplane, continued a flight path parallel to the taxiway, and there "may have been an unmarked wire of some kind which struck my airplane." The pilot maintained control of the airplane, flew direct to an airport, and landed the airplane. Subsequently, the pilot inspected the aircraft and decided not to fly the airplane to his home airport.

During personal interviews, conducted by the IIC, two police deputies reported observing the airplane flying from the west toward the Wofford Airport, Weiner, Arkansas. The police deputies went to the airport and observed damage to the airplane's vertical stabilizer and the rudder. The pilot stated that he had hit a wire with the airplane and the deputies found a "ball of wire in the engine cowling." The pilot secured the damaged rudder fabric with duct tape. According to the deputies, the pilot attempted to takeoff twice with the airplane. During both attempts, the airplane exited the side of the runway. After the second attempt, the pilot taxied the airplane to the hangar and shut down the engine.

The mechanic examined the airplane and found structural damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. Nicks were found in the propeller blades.

During personal telephone interviews, conducted by the IIC, and on the written statement, the passenger reported that the pilot flew the airplane to the Newport Municipal Airport. The pilot and passenger obtained a ride from the airport manager to the drag strip which was near the airport. The drag strip was operated by the airport manager and his wife who was at the drag strip where the cars were being timed for their racing categories. At the drag strip, the pilot talked with the tower personnel and the airport manager about an upcoming airshow.

After returning to the airport, the pilot and passenger boarded the airplane, and the pilot flew the airplane around the drag strip tower (less that 1 mile from the airport). During the flight the "[air]plane was leaning to the left wing towards the ground." Subsequently, the airplane went behind the drag strip tower and came around leaning to the left still. As soon as we came around the tower he straightened up and hit wires." The pilot had the passenger look at the back of the airplane and she stated that the "top of the back was gone and I see shiney metal." The passenger looked a second time and observed "material flapping." The pilot made a decision to land the airplane. The pilot taped the fabric with duct tape and then he and the passenger boarded the aircraft for the departure. After two takeoff attempts, the pilot taxied to the ramp and parked the airplane.