# NTSB ATL85FMG03: Pitts S1C, N4691, Durham, NC, March 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1985, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: Durham, NC
- Coordinates: 36.039081, -78.830039 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0391&lon=-78.8300&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL85FMG03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL85FMG03

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - proper altitude - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - object - tree(s)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED HE PUT THE ACFT IN A STEEP BANK SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF TO VIEW HIS SON WHO WAS ON THE GROUND. HE STATED HE FAILED TO APPLY BACK PRESSURE AND THE ACFT CONTACTED TREES OFF THE END OF THE RWY. THE ACFT THEN IMPACTED THE GORUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N4691 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S1C
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: EMJ-1
- Airframe hours: 389
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-02 135 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ernest Sterling Gann
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 10, 1984, 5 hours before
- Airport: W65, Durham Skylark, runway 32, 3,000 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,422 total, 92 in this make and model, 1,315 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 8 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: RDU, 20 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 19850302005119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850302005119A), Mar 2, 1985: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Durham, NC, Destroyed. Steep bank after liftoff, did not raise nose in time to prevent hitting trees.

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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