# NTSB CHI87DET07: Mcentee Stitsplaymate SA-11A, N2813, Rolling Prairie, IN, June 21, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: June 21, 1987, 04:00 local (09:00 UTC)
- Place: Rolling Prairie, IN
- Coordinates: 41.679374, -86.599128 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.6794&lon=-86.5991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13600
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI87DET07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13600/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI87DET07

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - preflight briefing service - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - fog (contributing factor)
  - operation with known deficiencies in equipment - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft/equipment inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
  - vfr flight into imc - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - thunderstorm (contributing factor)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, cruise
  - terrain condition - rising (contributing factor)

## Analysis

AIRCRAFT CRASHED IN OPEN RISING FIELD KILLING PILOT AND DESTROYING AIRCRAFT. HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT WAS NOT IFR-EQUIPPED  OR CERTIFIED. PILOT HAD LESS THAN TEN HOURS ON AIRCRAFT. NO FLIGHT PLAN FILED. NO RECORD OF WEATHER BRIEFING, OR IN-FLIGHT WEATHER ADVISORY. SIGMET WAS ISSUED FOR AREA WHICH INCLUDED NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS, TURBULENCE, LOW CEILINGS AND FOG. CONDITIONS WERE IMC AT CRASH SITE AT TIME OF OCCURRENCE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2813](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2813-2012-08-27), registration cancelled 2012-08-27, S/N 84, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MCENTEE STITSPLAYMATE SA-11A (STITSPLAYM)
- Registry model: [Stits Playmate SA-11A](https://openairdocs.org/model/stits-playmate-sa-11a) (registry code 86509PC) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 84
- Airframe hours: 523
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Billie K. Yarberry
- Registered owner: Frank W Mcentee
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 29, 1987, 5 hours before
- Departed: 1C1, PAXTON, IL
- Destination: 3AE, ANDERSON, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; toxicology performed; flight hours: 220 total, 9 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 110° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 2 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 800 ft broken
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBN, 13 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 19870621061889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870621061889A), Jun 21, 1987: Amtrsa STITSSA11A, Rolling Prairie, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aircraft crashed at night in IMC during crosscountry flight.

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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