# NTSB NYC90DHM26: Palen Sopwith Dolphin, N47166, Reinbeck, NY, September 30, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 30, 1990, 15:50 local (20:50 UTC)
- Place: Reinbeck, NY
- Coordinates: 41.989551, -73.870697 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.9896&lon=-73.8707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36501
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DHM26
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36501/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DHM26

## Probable cause

UNDETERMINED ENGINE FAILURE DURING LOW ALTITUDE OPERATIONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - powerplant - undetermined (cause)
  - low pass
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high vegetation
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS MAKING A LOW PASS OVER THE RUNWAY DURING AN ANTIQUE AIRCRAFT EXHIBITION WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. HE STARTED TO TURN AROUND TO LAND ON THE RUNWAY. THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE WAS OVER A WOODED AREA ADJACENT TO THE RUNWAY, ABOUT FIFTEEN FEET ABOVE THE TREETOPS, WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED COMPLETELY. THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED INTO THE TREES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N47166](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47166), registered now, S/N 1533, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PALEN SOPWITH DOLPHIN (SOPWITH DO)
- Registry model: [Palen SOPWITH DOLPHIN](https://openairdocs.org/model/palen-sopwith-dolphin) (registry code 0560873) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1533
- Engines: HISPANO SUIZA 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Palen, James
- Departed: REINBECK, NY
- Destination: REINBECK, NY
- Airport: NONE, Reinbekc Aerodrome

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim

## Weather

- Conditions: Not reported
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900930043979A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900930043979A), Sep 30, 1990: Amtr SOPWITHDOLPH, Reinbeck, NY, Substantial damage. Loud bang and rough engine on low pass. Tried to make 360 back to runway. Engine quit. Crashed in trees.

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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