# NTSB CHI91DEV04: Pitts Special S-1, N237V, Lincoln, IL, August 31, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1991, 18:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Lincoln, IL
- Coordinates: 40.1496, -89.360359 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1496&lon=-89.3604&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 14864
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI91DEV04
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/14864/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI91DEV04

## Probable cause

LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF AN EXPERIMENTAL AIRPLANE EXPERIENCED COMPLETE POWER LOSS CLIMBING PAST 800 FEET AFTER TAKEOFF.  THE PILOT ATTEMPTED A FORCED LANDING AT THE DEPARTURE FIELD AND TOUCHED DOWN IN CORN BEFORE REACHING THE RUNWAY.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CARTWHEELED.  NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - crop

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N237V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N237V-2012-10-16), registration cancelled 2012-10-16, S/N 189-H, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S-1
- Registry model: [Pitts Special S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special-s-1) (registry code 72202R2) (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: 189-H
- Airframe hours: 1279
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Maxwell E. Shauck, Jr.
- Registered owner: Maxwell E. Shauck, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1991, 39 hours before
- Destination: DEC, DECATUR, IL
- Airport: 3LC, Logan County, runway 3, 4,225 × 75 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 11,000 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 10,800 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 40° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910831037339A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910831037339A), Aug 31, 1991: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Lincoln, IL, Substantial damage. Engine quit on takeoff. Turned back,flipped landing in corn. No defects found. Modified to use ethanol in engine.

## Other investigations on N237V (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB FTW84LA046](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84LA046), Nov 9, 1983: Pitts Special S-1 (N237V), Mcgregor, TX, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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