# NTSB CHI91DEE01: Pitts Special S1-S, N983BW, Dekalb, IL, November 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: November 3, 1990, 12:53 local (18:53 UTC)
- Place: Dekalb, IL
- Coordinates: 41.890838, -88.750808 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.8908&lon=-88.7508&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14820
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEE01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14820/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEE01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S ATTEMPT TO PERFORM AEROBATIC MANEUVERS AT LOW ALTITUDE.

## 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 - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - altitude - inadequate

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PILOT REFUELED HIS HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT AND TALKED WITH ACQUAINTENCES AND SERVICE PERSONNEL BEFORE TAKEOFF. WITNESSES ON THE FLIGHT LINE DESCRIBE A NORMAL TAKEOFF TO LESS THAN 100 FEET ABOVE THE RUNWAY, WHERE THE AIRPLANE PUSHED OVER AND ACCELERATED IN LEVEL FLIGHT. ABEAM THE TERMINAL AND FLIGHT LINE, THE AIRPLANE ROLLED RIGHT TO THE INVERTED POSITION AND PAUSED BEFORE CONTINUING ITS RIGHT ROLL. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK GROUND WITH THE RIGHT WINGTIP SHORT OF A COMPLETE REVOLUTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N983BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N983BW-1991-06-21), registration cancelled 1991-06-21, S/N X (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S1-S (SPECIAL S1)
- Registry model: [Pitts SPECIAL S1-S](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special-s1-s) (registry code 72202Q0) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: X
- Airframe hours: 232
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A4A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Morgan, Mark William
- Registered owner: Mark W Morgan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, September 3, 1990, 15 hours before
- Airport: DKB, Dekalb Taylor Muni, runway 27, 4,200 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 405 total, 27 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Observed at: DPA, 22 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 19901103048539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901103048539A), Nov 3, 1990: Child S1SPITTS, Dekalb, IL, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Lost control performing a roll on initial climb after takeoff. A wing hit runway. Aircraft cartweeled and burned.

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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