# NTSB CHI85LA168: Wheat Pitts S-1-S, N3FW, Marlette, MI, April 20, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1985, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Marlette, MI
- Coordinates: 43.319862, -83.07991 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.3199&lon=-83.0799&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA168
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA168

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - flt control syst,rudder control - inoperative (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - runway light

## Analysis

100 YARDS FROM END OF RWY ON FINAL APCH PLT LOST RUDDER CONTROL. DURING LANDING ROLL AS AIRSPEED AND AILERON CONTROL EFFECTIVENESS DECREASED THE ACFT VEERED OFF THE SIDE OF THE RWY. THE LOWER LEFT WING CONTACTED A VASI LIGHT. INSPECTION REVEALED RIGHT SIDE RUDDER CABLE FAILED APRX 2 FT FROM RUDDER ATTACH POINT. CABLE APPEARED TO BE CHAFED OR CUT THROUGH 1/2 THE CIRCUMFERENCE. REMAINING PORTION APPEARS TO HAVE FAILED FROM INSTANTANEOUS TENSILE OVERLOAD.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3FW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WHEAT PITTS S-1-S (PITTS S-1-)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7001
- Airframe hours: 540
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B4A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Walter R. Fassnacht
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 21, 1984, 80 hours before
- Departed: D98, ROMEO, MI
- Airport: 77G, Marlette, runway 19, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 58; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 5,050 total, 500 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 14 knots, gusting 21
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FNT, 36 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 19850420013619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850420013619A), Apr 20, 1985: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Marlette, MI, Substantial damage. Struck VASI light after veering off runway at last part of rollout. Rudder cable had failed.

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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