# NTSB CHI84LA385: Pitts S-2A, N899, Oak Harbor, OH, September 8, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 8, 1984, 14:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Oak Harbor, OH
- Coordinates: 41.510066, -83.140312 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5101&lon=-83.1403&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12769
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI84LA385
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12769/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA385

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - physiological condition, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESS STATED PLT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS. AT THE TOP OF A LOOP (APRX 3000 FT AGL) THE ACFT REMAINED INVERTED, PWR WAS REDUCED AND AN INVERTED SPIN WAS ENTERED. THE ACFT REMAINED IN THE INVERTED SPIN TO WATER IMPACT. THE PLT DOES NOT RECALL THE ACCIDENT FLT, BUT STATED HE HAD BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH G-LOADS AND LOW BLOOD PRESSURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N899](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N899-1995-11-17), registration cancelled 1995-11-17, S/N 2093 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-2A
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2093
- Airframe hours: 390
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-AIA 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald S. Shemenski
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 1984
- Departed: PCW, OAK HARBOR, OH

## 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: rear; flight hours: 810 total, 41 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 13 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TOL, 35 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 19840908047739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840908047739A), Sep 8, 1984: Child S2APITTS, Oak Harbor, OH, Destroyed. Pilot was practicing aerobatic maneuvers when aircraft entered inverted spin and did not recover before crashing.

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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