# NTSB DEN91DTE02: Cresawn Pitts S1-C, N939PC, Calhan, CO, September 3, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: September 2, 1991, 19:07 local (Sep 3, 1991, 01:07 UTC)
- Place: Calhan, CO
- Coordinates: 39.030487, -104.290412 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0305&lon=-104.2904&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/800) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 6, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18001
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN91DTE02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18001/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN91DTE02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO ATTAIN ADEQUATE AIRCRAFT CONTROL TO AVOID TERRAIN COLLISION.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, other
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - aircraft control - not attained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED PERFORMING AEROBATICS - SPIN, IMMELMAN, AND TAIL SLIDE - WITHIN AN APPROVED AEROBATIC BOX. IT SUBSEQUENTLY IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE WITH LITTLE OR NO ROTATION OR FORWARD SPEED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N939PC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N939PC-1992-03-03), registration cancelled 1992-03-03, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CRESAWN PITTS S1-C
- Registry model: [Cresawn Len PITTS S-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/cresawn-len-pitts-s-1c) (registry code 7221188) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: --1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Len C. Cresawn
- Registered owner: Len C. Cresawn
- Departed: 5V4, CALHAN, CO

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 537 total, 310 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °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 19910902037319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910902037319A), Sep 2, 1991: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, Calhan, CO, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Entered flat inverted spin while practicing aerobatics. Spin continued inverted to ground impact.

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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