# NTSB CHI85LA277: Burch Pitts S-1, N42RB, Houghton Lake, MI, July 7, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 7, 1985, 08:55 local (12:55 UTC)
- Place: Houghton Lake, MI
- Coordinates: 44.310306, -84.76081 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.3103&lon=-84.7608&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13131
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA277
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13131/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA277

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - separation (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - vibration (cause)
- Nose down, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE ACFT NOSED DOWN FOLLOWING A GROUND LOOP DURING A LANDING ROLL. THE PLT REPORTED THE TAILWHEEL BEGAN TO SHIMMY, DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE ACFT WAS LOST AND IT GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. THE ACFT TRAVELED APRX 10 FT OFF THE RWY WHERE THE LEFT WING DUG INTO THE TERRAIN AND THE ACFT NOSED DOWN. POST ACCIDENT INSPECTION REVEALED THE TAILWHEEL STEERING SPRINGS WERE DISCONNECTED AND THE WHEEL HAD COME LOOSE FROM THE HUB.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N42RB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42RB-2012-02-27), registration cancelled 2012-02-27, S/N 12128, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BURCH PITTS S-1
- Registry model: [Burch Robert J PITTS SPECIAL S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/burch-robert-j-pitts-special-s-1) (registry code 7220787) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 12128
- Airframe hours: 97
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert J. Burch
- Registered owner: Robert J. Burch
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 15, 1985, 2 hours before
- Departed: Y91, LAKE CITY, MI
- Airport: HTL, Roscommon, runway 27, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,994 total, 92 in this make and model, 1,994 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HTL

## 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 19850707029759A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850707029759A), Jul 7, 1985: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Houghton Lake, MI, Substantial damage. Tail wheel shimmy after 3 point landing. Ground looped. Tire came loose from hub on tailwheel.

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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