# NTSB DEN93FA075: Wiley Pitts S-1-E, N70BW, Walters, OK, July 8, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report - Date: July 8, 1993, 09:15 local (14:15 UTC) - Place: Walters, OK - Coordinates: 34.350318, -98.300399 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.3503&lon=-98.3004&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 11080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93FA075 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11080/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93FA075 ## Probable cause PERFORMANCE OF AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER AT AN ALTITUDE INSUFFICIENT FOR ADEQUATE TERRAIN CLEARANCE. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - open field ## Analysis WITNESSES REPORTED THE PILOT MADE SEVERAL LOW PASSES OVER THEIR RURAL HOMES. THE PILOT'S FATHER-IN-LAW THEN SAW THE AIRPLANE FLYING SOUTH ALONG THE HIGHWAY IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE AND AT LOW ALTITUDE. HE SAID THE PILOT ATTEMPTED AN 'OUTSIDE RECOVERY' BUT INSTEAD OF LEVELLING OFF, THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED DESCENDING UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. CONSTRUCTION ON THE AIRPLANE HAD RECENTLY BEEN COMPLETED. AT THE ACCIDENT SITE THE RECORDING TACHOMETER READ 27:10 HOURS. ## Factual narrative HISTORY OF FLIGHT On July 8, 1993, at approximately 0915 central daylight time, a Wiley Pitts S-1-E, N70BW, impacted terrain while maneuvering approximately five miles northeast of Walters, Oklahoma. The pilot was fatally injured and the airplane was destroyed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight. Witnesses, including the pilot's father-in-law, reported the airplane made several low passes over their farm. The father-in-law said he observed the airplane flying south along the highway in an inverted attitude and at low altitude; he further reported that the pilot attempted an "outside recovery." A neighbor said he saw the airplane roll several times, pull up, then descend straight down. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The airplane impacted a soft plowed field. The rear portion of the fuselage, just behind the cockpit, was bent and was aligned on a magnetic heading of 060 degrees. A crush line on the nose of the airplane was measured at between 15 and 20 degrees. The nose was headed 035; the tail was headed 060. According to rescuers, the fuel tank, located in the center section of the top wing, was ruptured and leaking fuel on the ground when they arrived on the scene and during body removal. The right wing was slightly ahead of the left wing. Flight control continuity was established with the exception of the elevator trim tab cable, which had been cut by rescuers. MEDICAL AND PATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION An autopsy was performed on the pilot by the Oklahoma State Medical Examiner's Office. There was no evidence of any physiological event that could have been causal to the accident. Toxicology protocol was negative for the presence of ethanol, carbon monoxide, cyanide, or drugs. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION The first flight occurred on February 12, 1993. At the accident site, the recording tachometer indicated 27:10 total hours. According to the pilot's wife, this was the only aerobatic airplane her husband had flown. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N70BW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N70BW-2014-11-12), registration cancelled 2014-11-12, S/N 8-0130, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: WILEY PITTS S-1-E (PITTS S-1-) - Registry model: [Wiley Loyd W JR PITTS S-1-E](https://openairdocs.org/model/wiley-loyd-w-jr-pitts-s-1-e) (registry code 7221022) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 8-0130 - Airframe hours: 27 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Wiley, Loyd W. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1993, 2 hours before ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 18,900 total, 27 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 20 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LAW, 15 nm away ## 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 19930708022789A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930708022789A), Jul 8, 1993: Amtr S1E, Walters, OK, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Aerobatic low altitude and buzzing. Failed proper recovery from a roll. Dived into ground. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.