# NTSB ATL92LA012: Don Jackman Pitts S-1S, N4241Z, Franklinville, NC, October 19, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 19, 1991, 15:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Franklinville, NC
- Coordinates: 35.740146, -79.689285 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7401&lon=-79.6893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 9, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8539
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8539/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA012

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER CLEARANCE FROM THE POWER LINE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - wire,transmission
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT STATED THAT HE WAS ATTEMPTING A LOW PASS OVER THE FIELD IN ORDER FOR PERSONNEL ON THE GROUND TO PHOTOGRAPH THE AIRCRAFT.  HE STATED HE HAD FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF THE POWER LINES, AND THE AIRCRAFT STRUCK THE POWER LINES DURING THE MANEUVER.  THE AIRCRAFT IMPACTED THE TERRAIN OF THE AIRPORT AND FLIPPED OVER ONTO IT'S BACK.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4241Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4241Z-1998-04-21), registration cancelled 1998-04-21, S/N 70455 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DON JACKMAN PITTS S-1S
- Registry model: [Jackman Don PITTS S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/jackman-don-pitts-s-1s) (registry code 7221225) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7-0455
- Airframe hours: 182
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2C 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Davis, Jeffrey W.
- Registered owner: Davis, Jeffrey W.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1991, 17 hours before
- Departed: NONE
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: NONE, York Field, runway 2, 3,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,291 total, 132 in this make and model, 1,220 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 24 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 19911019047049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911019047049A), Oct 19, 1991: Child S1SPITTS, Ramseur, NC, Substantial damage. Making low pass for a photo shot struck powerlines off end of runway. Had forgotten the powerline was there.

## Other investigations on N4241Z (1)

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.

- [NTSB NYC97LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC97LA188), Sep 27, 1997: Jackman Pitts S-1S (N4241Z), Hammondsport, NY, substantial damage. Probable cause: the pilot's improper flare.

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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