# NTSB ATL86FKG09: Pitts S-1, N83JW, Atmore, AL, May 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1986, 16:35 local (21:35 UTC)
- Place: Atmore, AL
- Coordinates: 31.01906, -87.490272 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0191&lon=-87.4903&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): 6995
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86FKG09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6995/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86FKG09

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED ALMOST VERTICALLY FROM APRX 250/300 FT AGL AFTER ROLLING INVERTED AT THE COMPLETION OF A DOUBLE SNAP ROLL TO THE RT. THE ACFT SLOWED DURING THE ROLLS AND APPEARED TO BE TOO SLOW TO CONTROL THE STOPPING OF THE ROLLS. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO ROLL ONTO ITS BACK AND NOSED DOWN TO DESCEND TO GROUND IMPACT. THE ENGINE WAS DEVELOPING FULL POWER THROUGHOUT THE MANEUVER, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES. THE ALT WAS TOO LOW FOR AN EFFECTIVE RECOVERY BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS OR DEFECTS OF A CONTRIBUTORY NATURE IN THE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N83JW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 83-1
- Airframe hours: 89
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-E1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John D. Wilson III
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: 0R1, Atmore

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,500 total, 15 in this make and model, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19860524019449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860524019449A), May 24, 1986: Child S1PITTS, Atmore, AL, Destroyed. After low level snap rolls, aircraft rolled inverted and impacted the ground near the runway. No waivers issued.

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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