# NTSB DEN87LA077: Pitts Special S2C, N58DC, Deming, NM, March 30, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 30, 1987, 10:19 local (17:19 UTC)
- Place: Deming, NM
- Location: 32.2624° N, 107.7190° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DEMING MUNI (DMN), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2624&lon=-107.7190&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report May 2, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17184
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA077
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17184/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA077

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of recent total experience, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft handling - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE ACFT SWERVED DURING TAKEOFF AND THE SWERVE SEVERITY INCREASED DURING ACCELERATION. THE PLT LIFTED OFF BEFORE REACHING PROPER SPEED TO SUSTAIN FLT. THE ACFT STALL MUSHED INTO THE GROUND TO THE LEFT OF THE RWY, BOUNCED INTO THE AIR AND STALLED AGAIN. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE TERRAIN AND THE ACFT CARTWHEELED, COMING TO REST NOSE DOWN.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N58DC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S2C
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JA69
- Airframe hours: 715
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Ferry, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kerry F. Filler
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, March 25, 1987, 717 hours before
- Destination: TUS, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: DMN, Deming Municipal, runway 4, 5,600 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 23; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 246 total, 9 in this make and model, 246 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 2 knots
- Visibility: 70 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 19 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DMN

## 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 19870330007829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870330007829A), Mar 30, 1987: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, Deming, NM, Substantial damage. The aircraft cartwheeled on takeoff. The pilot was inexperienced in the aircraft and attempted an early liftoff.

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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