# NTSB DEN83FTC02: Pitts S-15, N6CQ, Laramie, WY, April 20, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 20, 1983, 09:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Laramie, WY
- Coordinates: 41.309913, -105.580291 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3099&lon=-105.5803&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Uncontrolled descent](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/650) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83FTC02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83FTC02

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT CRASHED DURING A FERRY FLT IN VMC WX CONDITIONS. WHILE IN FORMATION WITH TWO OTHER ACFT N6CQ WAS OBSERVED TO PULL UP TO A NEAR VERTICAL CLIMB, REVERSE COURSE AND DISAPPEAR. FOUND NEAR THE MANEUVER LOCATION, THE ACFT STRUCK THE GROUND IN A NEARLY WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE AT A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEVELOPING POWER ON IMPACT. EXAMINATION OF THE PLT SHOWED NO EVIDENCE OF DRUGS OR ALCOHOL. THE PLT WAS STRAPPED IN HIS SEAT WITH ALL BELTS INTACT. HIGH 'G' FORCES PREVENTED SURVIVAL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6CQ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6CQ-1983-11-10), registration cancelled 1983-11-10, S/N 31P (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-15
- Registry model: [Pitts SPECIAL S1-S](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special-s1-s) (registry code 72202Q0) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 31P
- Airframe hours: 13668
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Bill Rose Assoc. Enterprises
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 10, 1982, 11 hours before
- Departed: IV5, BOULDER, CO
- Destination: RWL, RAWLINS, WY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 960 total, 242 in this make and model, 870 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft unknown
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 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 19830420017479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830420017479A), Apr 20, 1983: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Laramie, WY, Destroyed. Was seen to pull up vertically from cruise. High speed ground impact in near level attitude. Possible prop failure.

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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