# NTSB FTW85LA232: Pitts Special S-1C, N22BD, Lubbock, TX, May 26, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 26, 1985, 09:50 local (14:50 UTC)
- Place: Lubbock, TX
- Coordinates: 33.529598, -101.78952 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5296&lon=-101.7895&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21757
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW85LA232
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21757/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW85LA232

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in personal ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
- Nose over, takeoff - roll/run

## Analysis

THE PILOT, ALTHOUGH WELL EXPERIENCED, HAD RECORDED ONLY ONE HOUR OF FLIGHT TIME IN THIS MAKE AND MODEL AIRCRAFT AND NO FLIGHT TIME IN ANY AIRCRAFT WITHIN THE 90 DAY PERIOD PRECEDING THE ACCIDENT. THIS IS THE INFORMATION RECORDED ON THE PILOT/OPERATOR AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT REPORT (NTSB FORM 6120.1) WHICH HE COMPLETED AND SIGNED FOR THE NTSB ACCIDENT INVESTIGATOR. THE PILOT FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING HIS TAKEOFF GROUND RUN, ROLLED OFF THE SIDE OF THE ASPHALT RUNWAY, CROSSED ABOUT 100 FEET OF GRASS AREA, AND ROLLED INTO A PLOWED FIELD WHERE THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST IN AN INVERTED ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N22BD (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S-1C
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BD-1
- Airframe hours: 95
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B1E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ted Minkinow
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 5, 1984
- Airport: F82, Town & Country

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 3,300 total, 1 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 6 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- 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 19850526022899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850526022899A), May 26, 1985: Child S1PITTS, Lubbock, TX, Destroyed. Lost directional control during takeoff roll in variable gusty wind conditions. Flipped over in a field.

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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