# NTSB CHI90DEM07: Pitts SA-1, N15Z, East Jordan, MI, July 31, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1990, 10:38 local (14:38 UTC)
- Place: East Jordan, MI
- Coordinates: 45.15047, -85.129364 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1505&lon=-85.1294&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 30, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14471
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI90DEM07
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14471/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90DEM07

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE DURING LOW ALTITUDE AEROBATICS.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - descent - uncontrolled, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF A HOMEBUILT AEROBATIC BIPLANE WAS PERFORMING LOW ALTITUDE AEROBATICS FOR FRIENDS. THE AIRPLANE WAS FLYING INVERTED AT AN ESTIMATED ALTITUDE OF 300 FEET ABOVE THE GROUND WHEN IT DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND. WITNESSES ESTIMATED ITS ANGLE OF DESCENT AND SPEED TO BE 60 DEGREES AND 170 M.P.H., RESPECTIVELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N15Z](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15Z-2015-05-11), registration cancelled 2015-05-11, S/N 1, built 1960 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SA-1
- Registry model: [Pitts S-1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-s-1a) (registry code 72201PH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 01
- Airframe hours: 728
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ziegler, Donald C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1990, 2 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,220 total, 270 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TVC, 38 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 19900731029309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900731029309A), Jul 31, 1990: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1A, East Jordan, MI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Dive inverted into ground while performing low level acrobatics.

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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