# NTSB CHI85LA222: Chadwick Stitts SA-3A, N1462, Plymouth, MI, June 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 6, 1985, 08:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Plymouth, MI
- Coordinates: 42.369415, -83.460723 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3694&lon=-83.4607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13085
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA222
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13085/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA222

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE TAKEOFF WAS MADE AT TOO LOW AN AIRSPEED. THE ACFT CONTINUED DOWN THE RWY AT ABOUT 20 FT AGL IN A NOSE HIGH ATTITUDE. AT THE END OF THE RWY THE ACFT PITCHED UP & NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1462 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: CHADWICK STITTS SA-3A (STITTS SA-)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: MS-1
- Airframe hours: 424
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A-65 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard T. Chadwick
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 2, 1984, 33 hours before
- Airport: ID2, Mettetal, runway 36, 2,550 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 69; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 60 total, 1 in this make and model, 32 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °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 19850606022719A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850606022719A), Jun 6, 1985: Amtrsa STITSSA3A, Plymouth, MI, Substantial damage. Early liftoff, nose high pitch and aircraft stalled to runway. Pilots inexperience a factor.

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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