# NTSB CHI84LA283: Pitts S-1C, Port Sanilac, MI, July 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 10, 1984, 18:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Port Sanilac, MI
- Coordinates: 43.430423, -82.540458 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.4304&lon=-82.5405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12687
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA283
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12687/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA283

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise - normal
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - preflight briefing service - performed, pilot in command
  - weather evaluation - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - in-flight planning/decision - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - unsuitable terrain or takeoff/landing/taxi area - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - precautionary landing - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - wet (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS ON A VFR X-COUNTRY WHEN THE WEATHER BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. THE PLT OVERFLEW SANDUSKY ARPT WITH WX 0F 1000 FTOVERCAST AND VISIBILITY 3 MILES IN FOG. HE SAID HE 'INSPECTED' THE ARPT AS A POSSIBLE LANDING SITE BUT CONTINUED THE FLT. FOLLOWING A ROAD AT 500 FT AGL HE FLEW INTO DENSE FOG OVER PORT SANILIA. HE SAID HE DESCENDED TO 300 FT AGL ANDDID A 180 DEG TURN TO FLY BACK TO SANDUSKY BUT REMAINED IN FOG AND DECIDED TO MAKE A PRECAUTIONARY LANDING. WHILE LANDING ON A SOFT FIELD THE ACFT NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: CGNOD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1C
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 540
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Gordon Price
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 1984, 30 hours before
- Departed: YAM, SAULT ST. MARIE
- Destination: NC4, GUELPH,ONTARIO
- Flight plan: VFR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; flight instructor, airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,883 total, 33 in this make and model, 2,237 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 400 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: MBS, 50 nm away

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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