# NTSB ATL89DMG05: Bloodworth Pitts Special S-1C, N1769, Townsville, NC, June 3, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1989, 17:56 local (21:56 UTC)
- Place: Townsville, NC
- Location: 36.4946° N, 78.4236° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Townsville, NC, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.4946&lon=-78.4236&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report April 19, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 7851
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL89DMG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/7851/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL89DMG05

## Probable cause

INADEQUATE ALTITUDE FOR THE PILOT TO RECOVER FROM A SPIN. A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WAS HIS OSTENTATIOUS DISPLAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATICS FOR A GROUP OF FRIENDS THAT WERE HAVING A COOK-OUT. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, HE PERFORMED OVERHEAD FOR 10 TO 15 MINUTES; DOING LOOPS, ROLLS & STALLS, AND FLEW CLOSE TO BOATS ON A LAKE. JUST BEFORE CRASHING IN A WOODED AREA, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A SPIN FROM WHICH IT DID NOT RECOVER. AFTER IMPACT, A FIRE ERUPTED & THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1769](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1769-2012-08-13), registration cancelled 2012-08-13, S/N BP-1169, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BLOODWORTH PITTS SPECIAL S-1C (PITTS SPEC)
- Registry model: [Bloodworth PITTS SPECIAL S-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/bloodworth-pitts-special-s-1c) (registry code 7221119) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BP-1169
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ernest S. Gann
- Registered owner: E Sterling Gann
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1988, 14 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,600 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RDU, 35 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 19890603014039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890603014039A), Jun 3, 1989: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Townsville, NC, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Was putting on an airshow for a group of friends,loop,rolls and stalls just above a lake. Stalled, spun,no recovery

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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