# NTSB CHI93DER01: Pitts S1, N17FS, Madison, MN, May 12, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: May 11, 1993, 18:15 local (May 12, 1993, 00:15 UTC)
- Place: Madison, MN
- Coordinates: 45.009574, -96.179328 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0096&lon=-96.1793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 3, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15569
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93DER01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15569/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93DER01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE DURING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS.

## 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
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THE PILOT PERFORMED HIGH ALTITUDE AEROBATICS FOR ABOUT 20 TO 30 MINUTES. THEN HE ENTERED A SPIN AND DESCENDED INTO TERRAIN. WITNESSES STATED HE APPEARED TO HAVE CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING THE DESCENT, BUT PULLED OUT WHEN HE WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N17FS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N17FS-1995-06-08), registration cancelled 1995-06-08, S/N 467H (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S1
- Registry model: [Perner/Pitts S1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/perner-pitts-s1s) (registry code 72202K7) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 467-H
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Keltgen, John J.
- Registered owner: Keltgen, John J.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Special flight (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1992
- Airport: DXX, Madison

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 76; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 8,200 total, 300 in this make and model, 7,500 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MVE, 23 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 19930511013229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930511013229A), May 11, 1993: Child S1PITTS, Madison, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Practice acrobatics,recovered too low from a spin. Impacted high speed, nose down, and wings level.

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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