Day/date: May 12, 1988


                              RANGER ACTIVITIES DIVISION
                                 FIELD INCIDENT REPORT

Incident type: Aircraft Accident
Log number: 88-79
Date/time of incident: 5/11, 1 pm    Date/time received: 5/12, 9 am
Park: Colonial                          Location: Yorktown Battlefield
Reported by: Wally Neprash, CR, COLO
Received by: Bill Halainen, RAD, WASO

Summary:
T.A.G., the pilot and sole occupant of a single-engine Mooney 201, was
practicing landings at Patrick Henry Airport in Newport News, Virginia. He
suffered engine problems during an approach and was forced to make a wheels-
up landing on a section of Yorktown Battlefield. The plane skidded on wet
ground for a distance of several hundred feet, crossed an open field, and
came to rest in the tree line at the edge of the field. The left wing was
crumpled and the fuel tank ruptured on impact with the trees. The aircraft
came to rest less than one hundred feet from the park's heavily traveled
West Tour Road. Although both doors were jammed shut in the crash, T.A.G.
was able to exit through a small hatch in the tail of the plane. He was
taken to Mary Immaculate Hospital in Newport News for observation and is
reported to be in good condition. The NFS, FAA, State Police, York County
Fire and Rescue and York County Sheriff's Office are all participating in
the investigation.

Persons involved:
Name                                 Address             DOB or age
T.A.G.                          Hampton, Virginia            --