# NTSB MIA84FA106: Southern Comfort, N19FH, Lakeland, FL, March 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: March 15, 1984, 14:35 local (19:35 UTC)
- Place: Lakeland, FL
- Coordinates: 28.010862, -81.929801 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.0109&lon=-81.9298&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30979
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA84FA106
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30979/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA84FA106

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - wing,skin - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, company/operator management (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, other maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - reduced, other maintenance personnel
  - wing,skin - failure,total (cause)
  - design stress limits of aircraft - exceeded, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent

## Analysis

WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATICS AT AN AIRSHOW, THE FABRIC ON TOP OF THE UPPER WING STARTED SEPARATING FROM THE WING. THE PLT CONTINUED FLYING THE ACFT & TRIED TO RETURN TO THE ARPT. HOWEVER, WHEN FLT COULD NOT BE MAINTAINED WITH FULL POWER, DUE TO LOSS OF AIRSPEED & ALT, THE PLT PARACHUTED FROM THE ACFT. THE ACFT CRASHED IN AN OPEN FIELD & BURNED. THE PLT'S PARACHUTE OPENED JUST SECONDS BEFORE HE IMPACTED THE GROUND. HE RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES DURING GROUND CONTACT AFTER INITIATING HIS BAIL-OUT AT APRX 500 FT. THE OWNER/BUILDER STATED THAT HE REALIZED THAT FABRIC OF AEROBATIC ACFT NORMALLY HAVE STICHES 1 INCH APART, BUT HE BUILT HIS WITH STICHES 2 INCHES APART. HE STATED THAT WHEN HE BUILT THE ACFT, HE DID NOT PLAN TO ALLOW AEROBATICS TO BE DONE WITH THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N19FH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SOUTHERN COMFORT
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 001
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: John H. Helton
- Registered owner: Frank E. Howell Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, December 23, 1983, 25 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,760 total, 2 in this make and model, 6,600 as pilot in command, 104 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAL

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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