# NTSB ATL81FLT10: Pitts S1S, N8020, Savannah, TN, June 9, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: June 9, 1981
- Place: Savannah, TN · SAVANNAH, TN
- Location: 35.2209° N, 88.2351° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Savannah, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2209&lon=-88.2351&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 22, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126224
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL81FLT10
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL81FLT10

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0847   81/6/9    SAVANNAH,TN         PITTS S1S           CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 25, 740
        TIME - 2005                    N8020               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 29 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - SAVANNAH
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          SAVANNAH,TN                 LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8020](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8020-2013-05-13), registration cancelled 2013-05-13, S/N 1-0013, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S1S
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 0110301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Savannah

## 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 19810609031639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810609031639A), Jun 9, 1981: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Savannah, TN, Destroyed. Dived into ground from inverted flight during practice aerobatics. Possible incorrect elevator input.

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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