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Classic Wings Magazine WWII Naval Aviation Research Pacific Luftwaffe Resource Center
When Hollywood Ruled The Skies - Volumes 1 through 4 by Bruce Oriss


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PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 12:34 pm 
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Found this on the internet, have no other knowledge. Maybe someone wants this?

http://www.salvex.com/listings/listing_ ... 7127E&t=rc

http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry ... rtxt=48701

NTSB Identification: WPR15LA233
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Thursday, August 06, 2015 in Hollister, CA
Probable Cause Approval Date: 09/12/2016
Aircraft: RYAN AERONAUTICAL ST3KR, registration: N48701
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious, 1 Minor.
NTSB investigators may not have traveled in support of this investigation and used data provided by various sources to prepare this aircraft accident report.

Following an uneventful flight in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot entered the airport traffic pattern for the nontowered airport, which featured a single turf runway. The pilot announced his position on the airport’s common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF). The pilot continued to turn onto the base leg and then onto final, announced his position on each segment, and landed in a 3-point attitude. During the landing roll, the airplane struck a stationary, occupied lawnmower and a truck on the right side of the runway. The pilot further reported that he did not see the lawnmower while he was in the traffic pattern or during the landing sequence. The driver of the truck, who was talking to the person operating the lawnmower, reported that they were located on the right side of the runway, just beyond a turnoff to the taxiway, and were discussing an issue with the mower. The driver further reported that the lawnmower operator did have a headset connected to an aircraft transceiver; however, he was not wearing it during the conversation. It is likely that the nose-high attitude of the tailwheel-equipped airplane and the pilot’s position in the rear seat reduced the pilot’s forward visibility during the landing and subsequent landing roll precluded his ability to see objects directly in front of the airplane. However, the pilot would have had adequate visibility to inspect the runway for obstructions while operating in the traffic pattern. In addition, if the lawnmower operator had been using the transceiver to monitor the CTAF, it is likely that he would have heard the approaching airplane and repositioned the lawnmower off the runway before the airplane landed.

The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
•The pilot's failure to observe the runway environment while operating in the traffic pattern and his subsequent failure to maintain clearance from a lawnmower on the runway during the landing roll. Contributing to the accident was the lawnmower operator's decision to remain on the runway while troubleshooting the mowing equipment without monitoring the airport's common traffic advisory frequency.

====================

Factual Information

On August 6, 2015, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, a tailwheel equipped Ryan Aeronautical
ST3KR, N48701, was substantially damaged when it collided with an occupied riding lawn
mower during landing at the Frazier Lake Airport (1C9), Hollister, California. The airplane was
registered to, and operated by, the pilot under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal
Regulations Part 91. The private pilot sustained minor injuries and the pilot rated passenger
sustained serious injuries. The pilot rated occupant of the lawn mower sustained fatal injuries.
Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight.
The local flight originated from the Reid-Hillview Airport, San Jose, California, at 1000, with
1C9 as the intended destination.

In a written statement to, and a telephone conversation with the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB) investigator-in-charge, the pilot reported that he initially transmitted his
intention of landing about 8 miles from the airport on the airport's common traffic advisory
frequency (CTAF). The pilot said he then entered the airport traffic pattern on a right
downwind for runway 23, reported that he was on right downwind and continued to announce
his position on downwind, base, and final for the runway on the CTAF. The pilot stated that he
landed slightly longer than normal, and during the landing roll, the airplane struck a lawn
mower. The pilot further reported that he did not see the lawnmower while he was in the traffic
pattern or during the landing sequence.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) aviation safety
inspector revealed that the fuselage of the airplane was structurally damaged. The lawnmower,
yellow in color, remained partially underneath the engine of the airplane, with the front of the
lawnmower facing in the direction of travel of the airplane. In addition, the inspector reported
that the airplane also struck a parked vehicle, which was white in color that was parked
adjacent to the lawnmower.

A witness, who was located in the run up area for runway 23, reported that he saw the
lawnmower on the right side of the runway. The witness said that during his taxi to the run up
area, and during his run up, he never heard any radio communication from the person on the
lawnmower, however, he did hear the pilot of the accident airplane report that they were 5
miles out, followed by a report on downwind. The witness further reported that he saw the
accident airplane on final approach, just crossing the runway numbers about 50 to 70 feet
above ground level, and that it seemed to be fast, as if he was conducting a long landing. He
then observed the airplane land in a 3-point attitude, and shortly after, impact the lawn mower.
The driver of the truck who was located adjacent to the lawnmower, reported that he was
having a conversation with the person who was seated on a mower about an issue he was
having with it not cutting properly. He stated that they were just past the turn off to the
taxiway on the right side of runway 23, and at no time heard or saw the airplane prior to the
collision. He further stated that the person on the lawnmower did have a headset connected to
an aircraft transceiver; however, he did not have the headset on during their conversation.
1C9 is a non-towered airport, which features a single turf runway (5/23) that is 2,500 feet in
length and 100-feet wide. In addition, the airport features a water runway located adjacent to
the turf runway that is 3,000 feet in length and 60-feet wide. Review of the FAA Airport
Facilities Directory revealed that at the time of the accident, no remarks were present for
mowing operations. In addition, at the time of the accident, no Notices to Airmen (NOTAMS)
were present for mowing operations.

The Ryan Aeronautical ST3KR is a two-place, tandem configured, low wing, tailwheel equipped
monoplane, manufactured in 1942. The airplane is commonly flown from the aft seat, which is
located just aft of the wing. Visibility from the aft seat is limited in a three-point attitude due to
the nose high angle and engine.

Pilot had minor injuries, passenger had serious injuries, one fatal injury on the ground (the lawnmower operator).


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PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 12:52 pm 
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PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 6:02 pm 
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There must be a lot of wrecked Ryan's out there....One wonders how many crash damaged projects are languishing in hangars.

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PostPosted: Fri Sep 15, 2017 10:43 pm 
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Location: Travis AFB
The big question? How much is the PT-22 wreck worth?
Is it worth it to rebuild the aircraft or best to part out the remains?


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PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 7:59 am 
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$5,000. I would have to assume the prop is bad. A new one is $2,500. Have to assume the Kinner R-55/56 engine is bad. An overhauled replacement is $14 to $25k. Have to assume both wings and flaps are damaged. Fuselage and landing gear are destroyed.
The best part of this deal is that everything was airworthy until the crash. Take this project and another basket case and you can more rapidly build up a fresh PT-22.


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PostPosted: Sat Sep 16, 2017 9:58 am 
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So in other words, fixing the wrinkled fuselage is the easy and cheap part?

The idea of combining two wrecks into one is good, but isn't it likely both will have the same damaged sections?
Looking at the photo, I'd worry about the wing center section.

Years ago I read somewhere that the complex looking gear was a weak point, and I wonder (and I'm certainly no structural engineer) if they don't transmit loads to the center section?

Still, I'd love to have one...of just get a ride in one...since my dad learned to fly in one at Hemet, California in 1943.

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 17, 2017 8:44 am 
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I checked out in one a few years ago and they are a joy to fly. Balanced and very light controls. Easier to land than a Stearman . The trailing link landing gear is now the preferred design on today's business jets.
If you want it, buy it. There are parts out there. You can start working on the tail, then wings. Along the way, you may find a reasonable shop that will build up the fuselage for you while you work on the wings. The cockpits only need cosmetic restoration , which is fun. The engine was probably at idle thrust and it has a wooden prop. The spinner and cowling around the engine suggest that maybe the engine can be inspected and is okay.
It's worth buying at the right price. You might even find a donor fuselage somewhere. Good luck!


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