# NTSB ATL86LA173: Pitts S-15, N73BJ, Raleigh, NC, June 16, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1986, 20:06 local (Jun 16, 1986, 00:06 UTC)
- Place: Raleigh, NC
- Location: 35.7721° N, 78.6386° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Raleigh, NC, within about 7 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7721&lon=-78.6386&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7133
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL86LA173
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7133/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL86LA173

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise - normal
  - fuel system,line fitting - incorrect (cause)
  - maintenance,modification - improper, production/design personnel (cause)
  - inadequate certification/approval,aircraft, faa(organization)
  - fuel system,line fitting - loose (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING NORMAL CRUISE VFR FLIGHT AT 1,500 FT AGL, THE PILOT REPORTED HEARING AN ERRATIC HISSING SOUND AND THE ACFT BEGAN LOSING FUEL PRESSURE. THE AIRCRAFT LOST POWER AND A FORCED LANDING WAS MADE INTO A FIELD. THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR DROPPED INTO A HOLE AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE CONFIRMED THAT AN IMPROPER FITTING HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN THE PRESSURIZED FUEL SYSTEM. A TEE FITTING HAD BEEN INSTALLED IN PLACE OF AN ELBOW FITTING AND THE END CAP HAD LOOSENED ALLOWING THE LOSS OF FUEL PRESSURE AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N73BJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-15
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BJ-2
- Airframe hours: 100
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bruce C. Jordan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 23, 1985
- Departed: NC81, APEX, NC

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 944 total, 104 in this make and model, 756 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19860615029419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860615029419A), Jun 15, 1986: Child S1SPITTS, Raleigh, NC, Substantial damage. Engine failed en route. Nosed over in a field. Fuel starvation was due to installation of improper fitting.

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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