# NTSB DEN86LA114: Aerotek PITTS-S-1S, N14RN, Loveland, CO, April 11, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1986, 11:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Loveland, CO
- Coordinates: 40.360267, -105.179298 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3603&lon=-105.1793&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16948
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16948/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA114

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ACCORDING TO THE PLT, THE ACFT ENCOUNTERED A TAILWIND DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE PLT SAID THE ACFT NOSED OVER ONTO ITS BACK WHEN HE APPLIED BRAKES. THE PLT HAD INDICATED HIS TOTAL FLT EXPERIENCE IN THIS TAIL WHEEL ACFT TO BE APRX 4 HRS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14RN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14RN-1988-09-01), registration cancelled 1988-09-01, S/N 10057 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS-S-1S
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 0110301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1-0057
- Airframe hours: 462
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James D. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, September 12, 1985, 24 hours before
- Departed: 2V2, LONGMONT, CO
- Airport: FNL, Ft. Collins Loveland Muni, runway 33, 6,500 × 100 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 941 total, 4 in this make and model, 728 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 20,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 36 °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 19860411014259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860411014259A), Apr 11, 1986: Child S1SPITTS, Fort Collins, CO, Substantial damage. Accelerated during downhill downwind landing rollout. Applied brakes and nosed over on runway.

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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