# NTSB CHI89DEX01: Pitts S-15, N3RJ, Delphi, IN, November 17, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1988, 16:25 local (21:25 UTC)
- Place: Delphi, IN
- Coordinates: 40.58028, -86.670761 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5803&lon=-86.6708&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14228
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI89DEX01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14228/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI89DEX01

## Probable cause

FAILURE TO RECOVER FROM AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER DUE TO LACK OF TOTAL EXPERIENCE, AND LACK OF RECENT EXPERIENCE IN THE TYPE OF FLIGHT REGIME.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - open field

## Analysis

WITNESSES OBSERVED THE ACFT PERFORMING A SERIES OF HAMMERHEAD TYPE CLIMBS AND DIVES. THE ACFT THEN WAS OBSERVED TO PERFORM A CLIMB AND ENTER A SPIN FROM WHICH THERE WAS NO RECOVERY. THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED 10 HOURS INSTRUCTION IN THE ACFT OVER TWO YEARS PRIOR TO ACCIDENT AND HAD LOGGED 27 HOURS FLIGHT TIME IN THE ACFT. THE PILOT HAD NOT FLOWN IN 27 MONTHS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. HIS LAST FLIGHT IN THE ACCIDENT ACFT WAS 28 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N3RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N3RJ-1989-03-21), registration cancelled 1989-03-21, S/N 378H (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-15
- Registry model: [Johnston PITTS SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/johnston-pitts-special) (registry code 7220263) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 378H
- Airframe hours: 250
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Christopher R. Seng
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, November 12, 1988, 1 hours before
- Departed: 3AR, LAFAYETTE, IN

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 447 total, 27 in this make and model, 338 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 25 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LAF, 17 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 19881117050989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881117050989A), Nov 17, 1988: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Delphi, IN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Rolled and entered a spin from a vertical climb. Failed to recover. Had prior trouble during spin recovery.

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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