# NTSB CHI83LA312: J. Roberts Pitts Special, N3144, Grand Haven, MI, July 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 14, 1983, 20:50 local (Jul 15, 1983, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Grand Haven, MI
- Coordinates: 43.050994, -86.220413 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.0510&lon=-86.2204&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: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12261
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83LA312
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12261/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83LA312

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - touch-and-go - performed, pilot in command
  - fluid,fuel grade - improper
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

AFTER A TOUCH-AND-GO LANDING, THE ACFT WAS CLIMBING THRU APRX 100 FT AGL WHEN THE ENG ABRUPTLY LOST POWER. A STRAIGHT AHEAD LANDING WAS NOT FEASIBLE. WHILE THE PLT WAS MANEUVERING TO LAND, THE ACFT IMPACTED IN A RIGHT WING LOW, NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FUEL TANK WAS APRX 3/4 FULL WITH A MIXTURE OF ABOUT EQUAL AMOUNTS OF AUTOMOTIVE & AVIATION (100 LL) FUEL. ABOUT 1 OZ OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE CARBURETOR BOWL, BUT NO EVIDENCE OF FUEL WAS FOUND IN THE LINE LEADING FROM THE ENG DRIVEN FUEL PUMP TO THE CARBURETOR. DAMAGE TO THE FIREWALL PREVENTED AN ACCURATE DUPLICATION OF THE FUEL CONTROL TRAVEL LIMITS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. THE PROP CONTROL WAS HARD TO OPERATE, BUT THE PLT SAID THAT IT HAD ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY. NO OTHER DISCREPANCIES WERE EVIDENT. THE POSSIBILITY OF FUEL BLOCKAGE, BY VAPOR LOCK, COULD NOT BE DISCOUNTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3144](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3144-1984-07-11), registration cancelled 1984-07-11, S/N P2 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: J. ROBERTS PITTS SPECIAL (PITTS SPEC)
- Registry model: [Pilgrim PITTS SPECIAL S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/pilgrim-pitts-special-s-1) (registry code 72202PE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: P2
- Airframe hours: 350
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J. Roberts
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: 3GM, Grand Haven, runway 27, 3,750 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 519 total, 100 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 10 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 19830714034369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830714034369A), Jul 14, 1983: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Grand Haven, MI, Destroyed. Engine quit on climbout from a touch and go landing. Impact was in a wing low attitude. Possible fuel vapor lock.

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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