# NTSB MKC85LA165: de Havilland DH 82A, N657DH, Ames, IA, July 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1985, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Ames, IA
- Location: 41.9920° N, 93.6218° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at AMES MUNI (AMW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9920&lon=-93.6218&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC85LA165
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC85LA165

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE OWNER HAD GIVEN THE PLT PERMISSION TO FLY THE ACFT & THE PLT ELECTED TO TAKE A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT SEAT. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, THE PLT STATED THAT HE WAS MAKING A HI SPEED TAXI RUN ON THE GRASS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RWY. HE REPORTED THAT THE LOWER RIGHT WING IMPACTED A RWY MARKER, THE ACFT VEERED TO THE RIGHT; THEN THE LEFT GEAR FAILED & THE TAIL ROSE HIGH ENOUGH FOR THE PROP TO HIT THE GROUND & BREAK. HOWEVER, THE PASSENGER SAID THAT THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE WHEN SHE LOOKED IN THE MIRROR & SAW THE PLT GRAB FOR HIS HAT. THE NEXT THING SHE RECALLED WAS THAT THE ACFT HIT SOMETHING, THEN VEERED & CAME NOSE DOWN ON THE GRASS TERRAIN. REPORTEDLY, THE RWY MARKER WAS ONE THAT WAS REMAINING FROM A PERIOD WHEN THE RWY WAS A BROAD GRASS STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N657DH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N657DH-1988-10-04), registration cancelled 1988-10-04, S/N PG657 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: de Havilland DH 82A
- Registry model: [Dehavilland TIGER MOTH DH 82A](https://openairdocs.org/model/dehavilland-tiger-moth-dh-82a) (registry code 2801002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: PG 657
- Airframe hours: 1640
- Engines: Bristol GIPSY MAJOR 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William R. Petrone
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1984, 15 hours before
- Airport: AMW, Ames Muni, runway 19, 3,747 × 160 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,121 total, 1 in this make and model, 3,848 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19850714044799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850714044799A), Jul 14, 1985: Dhavxx DH82AROBRTSN, Ames, IA, Substantial damage. While making a high speed taxi run on grass beside runway, wing struck boundry marker and went up on nose.

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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