# NTSB CHI81FEI19: Pitts S-1E, N45WA, Medina, OH, May 31, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: May 31, 1981
- Place: Medina, OH · MEDINA, OH
- Location: 41.1346° N, 81.8695° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Medina, OH, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1346&lon=-81.8695&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 2, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 126027
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI81FEI19
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI81FEI19

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1022  81/5/31    MEDINA,OH           PITTS S-1E          CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 38, 407
        TIME - 1800                    N45WA               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 5 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - FREEDOM
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MEDINA,OH                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           ENGINE FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION                            IN FLIGHT: NORMAL CRUISE
           NOSE OVER/DOWN                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISMANAGEMENT OF FUEL
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - FUEL EXHAUSTION
        FACTOR(S)
           POWERPLANT - FUEL SYSTEM: FILTERS,STRAINERS,SCREENS
        COMPLETE POWER LOSS - COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE/FLAMEOUT-1 ENGINE
        EMERGENCY CIRCUMSTANCES - FORCED LANDING OFF AIRPORT ON LAND
        REMARKS- PLT REPORTED HAVING DIFFICULTY DAY BFR ACDNT STOPPING MAIN FUEL DRAIN FRM LEAKING.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N45WA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N45WA-2012-11-29), registration cancelled 2012-11-29, S/N 1, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1E
- Registry model: [Allen-Wayne PITTS S-1E](https://openairdocs.org/model/allen-wayne-pitts-s-1e) (registry code 7221009) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Freedom

## 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 19810531030099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810531030099A), May 31, 1981: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Medina, OH, Substantial damage. Ran out of fuel near airport. Landed short of runway in plowed field, nosed over.

## Other investigations on N45WA (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 SEA97LA083](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA97LA083), Apr 6, 1997: Allen-Wayne Pitts S-1E (N45WA), Arlington, WA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The failure of the commercial pilot to perform an adequate visual lookout while on final approach for landing on the runway, and the failure of the student pilot of the other airplane to perform an…

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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