# NTSB ATL87DEK02: Allen Pitts Special S-1, N52LA, Lancaster, OH, August 8, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1987, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Lancaster, OH
- Coordinates: 39.720592, -82.59098 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7206&lon=-82.5910&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7237
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL87DEK02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7237/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL87DEK02

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - low pass - performed
  - aerobatics - initiated
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

N52LA WAS BEING FLOWN IN A 2-ACFT ACROBATIC DEMONSTRATION (DEMO). AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PLTS BGN THE DEMO BY PASSING EACH OTHER IN A LOW ALT KNIFE EDGE MANEUVER OVER THE RWY. AFTER PASSING, THEY ROLLED INVERTED, UNTIL NEAR THE ENDS OF THE RWY, THEN ROLLED UPRIGHT & BGN A STEEP CLIMB. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT WHEN N52LA WAS IN THE CLIMB, HE 'HEARD SOME MISSING FROM THE ENGINE.'  RPRTDLY, THE ACFT THEN STALLED, ENTERED A VERTICAL DSCNT & BGN SPINNING. IT IMPACTED THE GND NR THE DEP END OF RWY 10. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FND DRG THE INVESTIGATION. THE PLT POSSESSED A VALID STATEMENT OF ACROBATIC COMPETENCY & HAD PERFORMED IN A NUMBER OF AIRSHOWS IN THE PREVIOUS 3 YRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52LA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N52LA-2017-04-13), registration cancelled 2017-04-13, S/N 329H, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: ALLEN PITTS SPECIAL S-1 (PITTS SPEC)
- Registry model: [Allen PITTS SPECIAL S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/allen-pitts-special-s-1) (registry code 7220219) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 329H
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: James Paul King
- Registered owner: James Paul King
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1987
- Airport: I15, Fairfield, runway 10, 5,019 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,394 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 88 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19870808042949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870808042949A), Aug 8, 1987: Child S1PITTS, Lancaster, OH, Destroyed, 1 fatal. During vertical climb aircraft appeared to stall and enter a spin impacting ground in near vertical position.

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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