# NTSB FTW84FA220: Pitts Special S-1, N31DF, La Marque, TX, May 5, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1984, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: La Marque, TX
- Coordinates: 29.359424, -94.989509 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3594&lon=-94.9895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21119
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW84FA220
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21119/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW84FA220

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - stall/spin - initiated, pilot in command
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS SCHEDULED TO PERFORM AEROBATICS IN AN AIR SHOW. WHILE MANEUVERING AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL, THE ACFT ENTERED A NOSE HIGH, STEEP LEFT TURN, STALLED, THEN ENTERED A 2 TURN SPIN TO THE LEFT. THE PLT RECOVERED IN A NOSE LOW, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE, BUT THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES & THE GROUND. NO PRE-IMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUCTION WAS FOUND. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HAD STARTED WEARING SOFT CONTACT LENSES TO CORRECT HER VISION. NO CONTACT LENSES WERE FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE & NO LENSES WERE NOTED IN THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS INVESTIGATION. A PAIR OF EYE GLASSES WERE FOUND IN A BAG IN THE COCKPIT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N31DF (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S-1
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 473H
- Airframe hours: 198
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-B2B 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Michael L Frey Jr
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1984, 7 hours before
- Departed: 37R, HITCHCOCK, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 410 total, 95 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 3 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 1,300 ft overcast
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: GLS, 6 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 19840505015709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840505015709A), May 5, 1984: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, La Marque, TX, Destroyed. Entered a spin too low to recover during aerobatics at an air show. Pilot not using needed corrective eye lenses.

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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