# NTSB CHI81FEC43: Pitts S-1S, N12AL, Romeo, MI, August 31, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Closed
- Date: August 31, 1981
- Place: Romeo, MI · ROMEO, MI
- Location: 42.8046° N, 83.0026° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Romeo, MI, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8046&lon=-83.0026&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 124014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81FEC43
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEC43

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2761  81/8/31    ROMEO,MI            PITTS S-1S          CR-  0  1  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1930                    N12AL               PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  AGE 40, 1970 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            23 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - ROMEO
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          ROMEO,MI                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            TAKEOFF: INITIAL CLIMB
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  LANDING: LEVEL OFF/TOUCHDOWN
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           POWERPLANT - MISCELLANEOUS: POWERPLANT FAILURE FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING ON AIRPORT/SEAPLANE BASE/HELIPT.
        REMARKS- FUEL SEL VALVE LOCATED ON FUSELAGE BULKHEAD FACING PLT AT KNEE LVL,NOT PROTECTED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N12AL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N12AL), registered now, S/N DAV-1, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1S
- Registry model: [Davis A L PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-a-l-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 7220687) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0-360-B1E](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0-360-b1e) (registry code 41559, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Romeo

## 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 19810831053479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810831053479A), Aug 31, 1981: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Romeo, MI, Substantial damage. Engine quit after takeoff. Fuel selector valve moves easily and may have been moved to off position.

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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