# NTSB NYC83FFJ03: Sopwith Triplane, N5004, Allegany, NY, July 22, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1983, 17:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Allegany, NY
- Coordinates: 42.09037, -78.489463 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.0904&lon=-78.4895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Unknown](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/990) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 35091
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC83FFJ03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/35091/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC83FFJ03

## Sequence of events

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

- Fire/explosion, unknown
  - fuel system,tank - exploded (cause)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE OWNER/PLT OF THE HOME BUILT, SOPWITH TRIPLANE TOOK OFF ON A LOCAL FLT. THIS WAS THE 1ST FLT SINCE SOME MAINTENANCE REWORK & A NEW PROPELLER INSTALLATION. AFTER THE ACFT WAS AIRBORNE FOR APRX 20 MIN, IT WAS OBSERVED FLYING AT ABOUT 500 FT AGL. REPORTEDLY, IT HAD JUST TURNED FROM NORTH TO A SOUTHWESTERLY HEADING WHEN THE FUEL TANK (IN FRONT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL) EXPLODED. IMMEDIATELY, THE FUSELAGE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE ACFT DESCENDED IN A SLOW GLIDE TO ITS IMPACT POINT. IF CAME TO REST AT AN EMBANKMENT IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE & WAS DEMOLISHED BY FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N5004 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SOPWITH TRIPLANE
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1001979
- Engines: Jacobs R-755-B2 275 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: In-Flight
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George W. Clapp
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: D73, ALLEGANY, NY
- Airport: D-73, Star Aerodrome

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, unknown; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °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 19830722037039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830722037039A), Jul 22, 1983: Amtr SOPWTHTRIPLN, Allegany, NY, Destroyed. Fuselage tank exploded after being airborne for 20 minutes. Airplane engulfed in flames glided to ground impact.

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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