# NTSB DEN87LA013: Pitts S-1D, N255NK, Shelby, MT, November 2, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 2, 1986, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Shelby, MT
- Coordinates: 48.509479, -111.729606 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.5095&lon=-111.7296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 10, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA013

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft performance,climb capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - procedures/directives - disregarded, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - initiated, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - proper climb rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - aircraft performance,landing capability - exceeded (contributing factor)
  - proper descent rate - exceeded, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ostentatious display, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - not possible, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOK OFF WITH LITTLE OR NO WARMUP, PUSHED THE ACFT TO MAX PERFORMANCE AT 10 FT, PERFORMED A MAX PERFORMANCE CLIMB TO 300 TO 400 FT AND REDUCED THROTTLE TO IDLE. AS THE ACFT REACHED STALL SPEED, THE PLT DIVED AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND IMPACTED THE GROUND DURING THE ATTEMPTED LEVEL OFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N255NK](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N255NK-2012-12-13), registration cancelled 2012-12-13, S/N H-688, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1D
- Registry model: [Wolf PITTS SPECIAL S-1D](https://openairdocs.org/model/wolf-pitts-special-s-1d) (registry code 7221204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: H0688
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Delmar R. Benjamin
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1986, 16 hours before

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,030 total, 1 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 36 °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 19861102058929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861102058929A), Nov 2, 1986: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Shelby, MT, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted the ground during low level aerobatics. Pilot reported prop governor was malfunctioning.

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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