# NTSB ATL83LA055: Pitts Special 51C, N2148, London, KY, December 8, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 8, 1982, 15:18 local (20:18 UTC)
- Place: London, KY
- Coordinates: 36.930404, -84.100028 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.9304&lon=-84.1000&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 8, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL83LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL83LA055

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - failure,partial (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED DURING LANDING. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THERE WAS SLIGHT CROSSWIND AND THE TAIL WHEEL STEERING SPRING FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2148](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2148-2013-08-19), registration cancelled 2013-08-19, S/N 1, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL 51C (SPECIAL 51)
- Registry model: [Huges Pitts Special S-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/huges-pitts-special-s-1c) (registry code 72202DC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 360
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vincent Kelgen
- Registered owner: Ronald Fagen
- Departed: SMS, SUMTER, SC
- Destination: SMS, SUMTER, SC
- Airport: LOZ, London-Corbin

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles

## 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 19821208062929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821208062929A), Dec 8, 1982: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, London, KY, Substantial damage. Aircraft ground looped shortly after touchdown during landing roll. Tail wheel steering spring found broken.

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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