# NTSB DEN86LA245: Aerotek Pitts S-2B, N260PS, Salt Lake City, UT, August 31, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 31, 1986, 14:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.620887, -111.979179 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6209&lon=-111.9792&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN86LA245
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN86LA245

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed
  - maneuver - initiated
  - fuel system - contamination (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT RPRTD THAT WHILE HE WAS PERFORMING AEROBATICS AT AN AIRSHOW, THE ACFT'S ENG MOMENTARILY LOST POWER DURING INVERTED FLT AT THE TOP OF A LOOP. HE WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE LOOP. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ACFT CONTACTED THE RWY IN A LEVEL ATTITUDE WHILE IT WAS STILL DSCNDG IN A HI SPEED STALL. IT BCM AIRBORNE AGAIN, THEN IMPACTED ON ITS RGT WING, CARTWHEELED & CAME TO REST AGAINST THE ARPT PERIMETER FENCE. WITNESSES SAID THERE WAS NO APPARENT ATTEMPT BY THE PLT TO ABORT THE LOOP. ABOUT 'TWO THIMBLES FULL' OF FINE SAND LIKE SUBSTANCE WAS FOUND IN THE SEDIMENT BOWL. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N260PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N260PS-1989-01-19), registration cancelled 1989-01-19, S/N 5025 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS S-2B
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 0110304) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5025
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Hosking Aerobatics, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 3, 1986, 11 hours before
- Airport: U42, Salt Lake City Muni. #2, runway 16, 5,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,326 total, 424 in this make and model, 6,138 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19860831043309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860831043309A), Aug 31, 1986: Child S2BPITTS, Salt Lake City, UT, Destroyed. Pilot failed to recover from a loop after engine lost power. Cartwheeled off runway. Suspect fuel contamination.

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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