# NTSB ATL85FA276: Laux Pitts S-1S, N30BL, Paducah, KY, September 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1985, 16:27 local (21:27 UTC)
- Place: Paducah, KY
- Coordinates: 37.070976, -88.629058 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0710&lon=-88.6291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6639
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FA276
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6639/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FA276

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - became lost/disoriented - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED IN THE LOCAL AREA FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. IT WAS PERFOMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. ONE WITNESS REPORTED THAT IT WAS LOWER THAN IT USUALLY WAS WHEN IT WAS PERFOMING THESE MANEUVERS. IT WAS OBSERVED TO DO AN INSIDE LOOP, ROLL INVERTED AND THEN ENTER A VERTICAL CLIMB. THE ENGINE POWER WAS REDUCED OR THE ENGINE CUT OUT AND THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED AN INVERTED SPIN. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT AFTER 3 OR 4 TURNS THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A FLAT SPIN. THE PILOT WAS WEARING A PARACHUTE BUT WAS FOUND STILL STRAPPED IN THE AIRCRAFT. IT IMPACTED INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N30BL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N30BL-1990-02-17), registration cancelled 1990-02-17, S/N L2 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: LAUX PITTS S-1S
- Registry model: [Pitts S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-s-1s) (registry code 7220402) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: L-2
- Airframe hours: 282
- Engines: LYCOMING HO-360-A1A 208 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack Paxton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 9, 1984, 28 hours before
- Departed: PAH, PADUCAH, KY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,700 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 12,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PAH, 5 nm away

## 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 19850914044839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850914044839A), Sep 14, 1985: Child S1SPITTS, Paducah, KY, Destroyed. Entered an inverted spin and impacted ground. No record of inverted spin training. Fuel pump overhauled improperly.

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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