# NTSB DEN86LA139: Pitts S-1S, N2DE, Denver, CO, May 18, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 18, 1986, 10:45 local (16:45 UTC)
- Place: Denver, CO
- Coordinates: 39.750305, -104.600532 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7503&lon=-104.6005&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 16966
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA139
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/16966/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA139

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORT THAT HE ENTERED NORMAL TRAFFIC FOR LANDING AT FRONT RANGE AIRPORT. THERE WERE 3 OR 4 ACFT PRECEDING HIM SO HE EXTENDED HIS TRAFFIC PATTERN. AFTER TURNING ONTO FINAL APPROACH ABOUT 1 MILE FROM END OF RWY, THE PLT SAID THE ENG QUIT ABRUPTLY. THE ACFT STALLED AND CRASHED DURING THE ATTEMPTED FORCED LANDING. WRECKAGE EXAMINATION AND ENG RUN FAILED TO REVEAL EVIDENCE TO EXPLAIN THE REPORTED LOSS OF POWER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N2DE (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1S
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 555H
- Airframe hours: 108
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Joeseph E. Thompson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 31, 1985, 108 hours before
- Departed: 01V, AURORA, CO
- Airport: 1W1, Front Range, runway 26, 8,000 × 100 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 3,779 total, 55 in this make and model, 3,600 as pilot in command, 70 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 65 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 28 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DEN, 15 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 19860518017909A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860518017909A), May 18, 1986: Child S1SPITTS, Denver, CO, Destroyed. Engine quit after turn to final. Stalled while lining up for landing in a field. Some mag roughness on engine runup.

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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