# NTSB DEN88DQA02: Shiner Pitts S-1S, N79SS, Los Lunas, NM, February 23, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1988, 16:15 local (23:15 UTC)
- Place: Los Lunas, NM
- Coordinates: 34.810764, -106.730583 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.8108&lon=-106.7306&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 10, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17323
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN88DQA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17323/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN88DQA02

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,steering system - failure,total (cause)
  - maintenance,inspection - inadequate (cause)
  - brakes(normal) - inadequate (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT REPORTED THAT THE TAILWHEEL STEERING CHAIN BROKE DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT. WHEN THE ACFT SLOWED TO ABOUT 30 KTS THE RUDDER WAS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE AND THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL DIRECTION BY USE OF THE BRAKES. THE ACFT TURNED TO THE LT AND RAN OFF THE LT SIDE OF THE RWY, COLLIDED WITH A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N79SS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N79SS), registered now, S/N 687-H, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: SHINER PITTS S-1S
- Registry model: [Shiner PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/shiner-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 7220638) (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: 687 4
- Airframe hours: 245
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James A. Cline
- Registered owner: Cline, James A
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1987, 9 hours before
- Airport: E98, Midvalley Airpark, runway 35, 4,370 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 30,000 total, 116 in this make and model, 49 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 2 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 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 19880223004379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19880223004379A), Feb 23, 1988: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Los Lunas, NM, Substantial damage. Lost directional control as aircraft slowed on landing roll and ran into a ditch. Tailwheel steering chain broke.

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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