Saturday, February 19, 2022

Pitts S-1T Special, N731FL: Accident occurred February 17, 2022 at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (KDWH), Spring, Harris County, Texas

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident. 

Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Houston, Texas


Location: Spring, Texas
Accident Number: CEN22LA123
Date and Time: February 17, 2022, 14:48 Local
Registration: N731FL
Aircraft: Pitts S-1T 
Injuries: 1 Serious
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal

On February 17, 2022, about 1448 central standard time, a Pitt S-1T, N731FL, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident at David Wayne Hooks Memorial Airport (DWH), Spring, Texas. The pilot was seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight.

The pilot reported that after departure from DWH he noticed that engine power was not responding to throttle movements. The pilot turned back toward DWH and entered a left downwind to Runway 35L. During the base turn, after turning the ignition switch off, the pilot executed a forced landing. Due to higher than anticipated headwinds, the airplane landed prior to Runway 35L and impacted instrument landing system structures, which resulted in damaged to both wings and fuselage. The airplane was retained for examination.

Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information

Aircraft Make: Pitts 
Registration: N731FL
Model/Series: S-1T 
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:

Meteorological Information and Flight Plan

Conditions at Accident Site: VMC
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KDWH,152 ft msl 
Observation Time: 13:53 Local
Distance from Accident Site: 1 Nautical Miles
Temperature/Dew Point: 27°C /9°C
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: 8 knots / 15 knots, 310°
Lowest Ceiling: None 
Visibility: 10 miles
Altimeter Setting: 29.9 inches Hg 
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Departure Point: Houston, TX (DWH)
Destination: Houston, TX (DWH)

Wreckage and Impact Information

Crew Injuries: 1 Serious 
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: N/A 
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: 
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 1 Serious 
Latitude, Longitude: 30.053099,-95.551847 (est)



Klein Volunteer Fire Department - 

At just after 2pm this afternoon, Klein Volunteer Fire Department was dispatched to Hooks Airport for an aircraft emergency. There was a single-engine aircraft that ran off the runway with 1 person on board. The individual was transported in stable condition.

Units that made location were DC35, DC36, E37, E38, E33, and Harris County ESD 11 Mobile Healthcare.

2 comments:

  1. !DWH 02/020 DWH NAV LOC RWY 17R U/S 2202172328-2203171200

    This NOTAM seems suspiciously related to this incident.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It is. The accident took out localizer equipment on the south end of Rwy 17R.

    ReplyDelete