# NTSB DEN86FA211: Steven Soper Pitts S-1T, N155NK, Shelby, MT, July 27, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 27, 1986, 10:45 local (17:45 UTC)
- Place: Shelby, MT
- Coordinates: 48.510517, -111.729576 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5105&lon=-111.7296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16839
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86FA211
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16839/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86FA211

## 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
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - preflight planning/preparation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, takeoff - initial climb
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING INITIAL CLIMB AFTER TAKEOFF FROM A PRIVATE RANCH AIRSTRIP, THE ACFT ENGINE QUIT. THE PLT HAD INADVERTENTLY LEFT THE FUEL SELECTOR SWITCH IN THE NO. 2 POSITION WHICH ALLOWED OIL, NORMALLY USED TO PRODUCE SMOKE DURING AERIAL DEMONSTRATIONS, TO ENTER THE ACFT FUEL SYSTEM. THE ACFT STRUCK A TREE AND DESCENDED UNCONTROLLED UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND 400 FEET FROM THE DEPARTURE END OF THE AIRSTRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N155NK (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STEVEN SOPER PITTS S-1T
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: SS-186
- Airframe hours: 50
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3A 205 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steven E. Soper
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, July 2, 1986, 50 hours before
- Departed: SHELBY, MT
- Destination: CTB, CUT BANK, MT
- Airport: Benjamin Ranch, runway 25, 2,500 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 2,409 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 2,347 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CBT, 20 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 19860727035059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860727035059A), Jul 27, 1986: Child S1TPITTS, Shelby, MT, Destroyed. Engine failed during takeoff. The pilot had not reset the fuel selector after filling smoke tank with oil.

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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