# NTSB CHI79FEC44: Stitts SA-3A, N19BC, Manchester, MI, August 16, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: August 16, 1979
- Place: Manchester, MI · MANCHESTER, MI
- Location: 42.1483° N, 84.0346° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Manchester, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1483&lon=-84.0346&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 30, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134243
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI79FEC44
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79FEC44

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2600  79/8/16    MANCHESTER,MI       STITTS SA-3A        CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 60, 2356
        TIME - 1930                    N19BC               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 60 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ANN ARBOR,MI                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: SKIN AND ATTACHMENTS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        REMARKS- R WING FABRIC SEPARATED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N19BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N19BC-1982-04-15), registration cancelled 1982-04-15, S/N P591 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STITTS SA-3A
- Registry model: [Nieman-Barnard-Helkaa STITS PLAYBOY SA-3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/nieman-barnard-helkaa-stits-playboy-sa-3a) (registry code 8650801) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790816028899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790816028899A), Aug 16, 1979: Amtrsa STITSSA3A, Manchester, MI, Destroyed. Acft was observed engaged in acrobatics then dive vertically into ground. Found loose fabric on top of upper wing.

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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