# NTSB CHI87DEM12: Pitts S-1, N76SC, Charlevoix, MI, August 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1987, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Charlevoix, MI
- Coordinates: 45.31047, -85.249534 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3105&lon=-85.2495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13571
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DEM12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13571/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DEM12

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING LANDING ON A SHORT SOD STRIP WITH A CROSS WIND THE PILOT LOST CONTROL WHEN EXCESSIVE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER LANDING HE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE ACFT ASSUMED ABOUT A 45 DEGREE NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AND THE WHEEL PANTS DUG IN WHICH TRIPPED THE ACFT. THE MAIN GEAR COLLAPSED REARWARD AND THE PROP STRUCK THE GROUND, AS THE ACFT NOSED OVER. THE PLT OPERATED HEAVY ACFT FOR A COMMERCIAL AIRLINE AND HAD LIMITED TIME IN THE TYPE ACFT. HE RECOMMENDED USING LESS BRAKING AND A LONG RWY FOR LANDING.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N76SC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1001
- Airframe hours: 456
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas Eugen Bullard
- Registered owner: Thomas Eugene Bullard
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 1987, 5 hours before
- Airport: CVX, Charlevoix Municipal, runway 31, 1,310 × 300 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; flight instructor, airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 9,364 total, 13 in this make and model, 9,200 as pilot in command, 278 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 37 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 19870825061319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870825061319A), Aug 25, 1987: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Charlevoix, MI, Substantial damage. Came in high and fast. Landed long. Used too much brake stopping on the runway. Aircraft nosed over.

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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