# NTSB FTW85FA346: Pitts SPL. S-1, N74LF, Mclean, TX, September 14, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 14, 1985, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Mclean, TX
- Coordinates: 35.229164, -100.599296 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2292&lon=-100.5993&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21571
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85FA346
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21571/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85FA346

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight encounter with weather, cruise
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
  - pressure, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - low ceiling (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - in flight, cruise
  - vfr flight into imc - attempted, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PLT HAD LANDED THE PITTS SPECIAL ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO LOW FUEL. AFTER THE FUEL SERVICE THE ACFT TOOK OFF AND THE PLT PERFORMED LOW ALTITUDE ACROBATICS THEN DEPARTED MAKING SLOW ROLLS BELOW A LOW OVERCAST. A WITNESS OBSERVED THE ACFT FLYING LOW OVER THE HIGHWAY GOING TOWARD RISING TERRAIN TOWARD AMARILLO. THE WRECKAGE WAS LOCATED IN A FIELD. THE ACFT HAD EVIDENTLY STALLED WHILE IN THE LOW OVERCAST AFTER INADVERTENT ENTRY BY THE NON-INSTRUMENT RATED PLT. EVIDENCE INDICATED THE ACFT HAD CONTINUED A SPINNING MANEUVER UNTIL SURFACE IMPACT. NO EVIDENCE OBSERVED OF ACFT OR ENGINE MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N74LF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N74LF-1988-03-16), registration cancelled 1988-03-16, S/N 423H (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPL. S-1
- Registry model: [Frerking PITTS SPECIAL S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/frerking-pitts-special-s-1) (registry code 7220707) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 423-H
- Engines: LYCOMING I0320C1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Patrick Blake Sterling
- Registered owner: Gordon J. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, October 11, 1984

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed

## Weather

- Conditions: Day
- Visibility: 1 statute miles
- Observed at: AMA, 45 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 19850914076509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850914076509A), Sep 14, 1985: Child S1PITTS, Mclean, TX, Destroyed. Landed on a road, refueled with auto gas. Took off in low ceiling and visibility. Lost control,impacted the 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.

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