# NTSB CHI05LA015: Strissel Pitts S1S, N230SB, Liberal, KS, October 24, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 24, 2004, 14:30 local (19:30 UTC) - Place: Liberal, KS - Coordinates: 37.044166, -101.005554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0442&lon=-101.0056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report October 27, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA-Wichita FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 60444 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI05LA015 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60444/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI05LA015 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane while performing aerobatic flight maneuvers resulting in an in-flight collision with terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot fatally injured during an in-flight collision with terrain. Witnesses reported that the aircraft was conducting aerobatic airwork when it entered an inverted spin. According to one witness, the airplane went into a "backward spin, then it flipped up side down and stayed [in] a spin until it disappeared over the hill." A second witness stated the airplane was "doing tricks." He reported the airplane was "upside down going in circles" and did not recover prior to impact. The airplane came to rest inverted. The flight controls remained attached to the airframe. Control continuity was confirmed from the empennage to the cockpit area and from the ailerons to the wing roots. Cable breaks exhibited a frayed condition consistent with overload tensile failure. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 2004, about 1430 central daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Strissel Pitts S1S bi-wing airplane, N230SB, was substantially damaged during an in-flight collision with terrain near Liberal, Kansas. The personal flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot sustained fatal injuries. The local flight departed Liberal Municipal Airport (LBL), Liberal, Kansas, about 1400. A witness reported seeing a small airplane go into a "backward spin, then it flipped up side down and stayed [in] a spin until it disappeared over the hill." A second witness stated that he saw an airplane "doing tricks." He continued: "I watched him for a few minutes, then he was doing this crazy stunt up in the air. He was upside down going in circles. And I was noticing that he was getting closer to the ground. Then all of a sudden he wasn't pulling up." He noted the airplane descended until it impacted the ground. The airplane came to rest inverted on level terrain approximately 2 miles west-southwest of LBL. The engine cowling, upper wing assembly, and vertical stabilizer exhibited crushing damage. The flight controls remained attached to the airframe. Control continuity was confirmed from the empennage to the cockpit area and from the ailerons to the wing roots. Cable breaks exhibited a frayed condition consistent with overload tensile failure. One of the co-owners of the aircraft reported that they had owned it for approximately 20 years. They were reportedly in the process of negotiating a trade with the accident pilot involving the aircraft. During this time, the owner stated that the accident pilot had permission to fly the Pitts aircraft. He noted that the accident pilot had told him that he had experience in two-seat Pitts aircraft and with aerobatics in general. The owner stated that he had flown the accident aircraft the evening prior to and the morning of the accident. He reported that he conducted some takeoffs and landings during the evening flight and performed some aerobatic work during the morning flight. He stated that the aircraft performed normally. He noted that he was not aware of any discrepancies with the aircraft. Federal Aviation Administration records indicate the accident pilot held a private pilot certificate with a single-engine land rating. He also held a mechanic certificate with airframe and powerplant ratings. He was issued a third class airman medical certificate on November 11, 2002. His pilot logbook was not located. He reported his total flight time as 1,000 hours on his medical certificate application. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N230SB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N230SB-2008-01-16), registration cancelled 2008-01-16, S/N 7-0422, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Strissel Pitts S1S - Registry model: [Strissel Dale R PITTS S1S 1979](https://openairdocs.org/model/strissel-dale-r-pitts-s1s-1979) (registry code 7220680) (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: 7-0422 - Airframe hours: 676 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 15, 2004, 5 hours before - Departed: LBL, Liberal, KS - Airport: LBL, Liberal Muni ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; injuries: fatal; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: single; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 3 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 25 °F - Altimeter: 29.76 inHg - Observed at: LBL, 2 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 20041024032519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20041024032519A), Oct 24, 2004: Aviat PITTSS1S, Liberal, KS, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. (-23) Aircraft was observed performing aerobatic maneuvers and was observed entering an inverted descending spin. Pilot was unable to recover and the aircraft… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.