# NTSB NYC87DNE01: Kosch Whitehead #21, N1901G, Stratford, CT, December 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: December 29, 1986, 11:10 local (16:10 UTC)
- Place: Stratford, CT
- Location: 41.1635° N, 73.1262° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BRIDGEPORT/SIKORSKY (BDR), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1635&lon=-73.1262&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (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): 30459
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DNE01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30459/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DNE01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - other person (cause)
  - light condition - daylight
  - judgment - poor, other person (cause)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, other person (cause)

## Analysis

THE EXPERIMENTAL AIRCRAFT WAS MAKING TAXI TESTS ON AN ABANDONED TAXIWAY WHEN IT BECAME AIRBORNE. A PHOTOGRAPHER RUSHED OUT FROM A MARKED SAFETY AREA DIRECTLY IN THE FLIGHT PATH OF THE AIRCRAFT AND WAS STRUCK BY THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVING A BROKEN ARM. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED MINOR DAMAGE, LANDING SAFELY WITH THE PILOT NOT INJURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1901G](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1901G-2011-04-30), registration cancelled 2011-04-30, S/N 21, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: KOSCH WHITEHEAD #21 (WHITEHEAD)
- Registry model: [Kosch Andrew J WHITEHEAD #21](https://openairdocs.org/model/kosch-andrew-j-whitehead-21) (registry code 056125Z) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Chotia ALL MDLS A/B](https://openairdocs.org/engine/chotia-all-mdls-a-b) (registry code 13900, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 21
- Engines: CHOTIA 09 28 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Andrew J. Kosch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, December 4, 1986, 0 hours before
- Airport: BDR, Sikorsky Memorial Airport, runway 16, 4,683 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 50 total, 23 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19861229069609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861229069609A), Dec 29, 1986: Amtrak WHITEHEAD21, Stratford, CT, Minor damage. Photographer ran beyond safe area into path of aircraft on test flight and was struck by gear and propeller.

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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