# NTSB CHI83FA387: Aerotek Pitts S-2A, N80016, Waukegan, IL, August 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 20, 1983, 14:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Waukegan, IL
- Coordinates: 42.37038, -87.86074 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3704&lon=-87.8607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12019
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA387
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12019/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA387

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE ON A LOCAL FLT, THE ACFT CRASHED IN LAKE MICHIGAN ABOUT 1/2 MI FROM THE SHORELINE. ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, IT WAS FLYING OVER THE WATER AT ABOUT 100 FT, THEN PULLED ALMOST STRAIGHT UP TO ABOUT 300 FT ABOVE THE WATER, NOSED OVER & WENT ALMOST STRAIGHT NOSE DOWN UNTIL WATER IMPACT. LATER, THE ACFT WAS RECOVERED & EXAMINED, BUT NO PREIMPACT/MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE LEADING EDGE OF THE PROPELLER BLADE TIPS WERE BENT OPPOSITE THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION, THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CLEAN & FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE FUEL DISTRIBUTION MANIFOLD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80016](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80016-2014-12-22), registration cancelled 2014-12-22, S/N 2026, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS S-2A
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2026
- Airframe hours: 841
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Jack F. Keyser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1983, 25 hours before
- Departed: UGN, WAUKEGAN, IL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 649 total, 258 in this make and model, 527 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19830820043049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830820043049A), Aug 20, 1983: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Waukegan, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Pilot stalled aircraft at an altitude at which he was unable to recover.

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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