# NTSB BFO91DIA01: Hagaman Pitts Pitts S, N711B, Warrenton, VA, June 8, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 8, 1991, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Warrenton, VA
- Location: 38.7154° N, 77.7976° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Warrenton, VA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7154&lon=-77.7976&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 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11617
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO91DIA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11617/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO91DIA01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT MISJUDED ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE ABOVE THE TERRAIN.  CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS AEROBATIC MANEUVER PERFORMED AT LOW ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - object - tree(s) (contributing factor)
  - aerobatics - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AFTER DOING SEVERAL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS, THE PLT TRIED TO DO A LOOP AT LOW ALTITUDE OVER THE AIRPORT.  THE ACFT STRUCK TREES AT THE BOTTOM OF THE LOOP.  THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT DISCLOSE EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N711B (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: HAGAMAN PITTS PITTS S
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7275
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William E. Gladstone
- Registered owner: William E. Gladstone
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, January 2, 2000
- Destination: EZF, FREDRICKSBURG, VA
- Airport: 53VA, Horse Feathers, runway 36, 2,600 × 60 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

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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