# NTSB FTW86FA091: Aerotek Pitts S2A, N80004, Santa Fe, TX, May 24, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 24, 1986, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Santa Fe, TX
- Coordinates: 29.380718, -95.089553 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3807&lon=-95.0896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 21906
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW86FA091
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/21906/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW86FA091

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - electrical system,electric wiring - shorted (contributing factor)
- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - emergency procedure - not performed, copilot/second pilot (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, copilot/second pilot
  - emergency procedure - not possible, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

A SHORT OCCURRED IN THE AIRCRAFT'S ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DISTRACTING THE OWNER/PILOT OCCUPYING THE BACK SEAT OF THE AIRCRAFT. THIS SEAT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH A SECOND LAP RESTRAINT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS OBSERVED, BY WITNESSES, TO ENTER A SPIN WHICH WENT INVERTED. THE FRONT SEAT PILOT MAY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO REACH THE PEDALS BUT HAD NO EXPERIENCE IN THE AIRCRAFT. THE SPIN WAS STOPPED AT AN ALTITUDE TOO LOW TO PULL OUT, AND IT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP INVERTED ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80004](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80004-1988-08-15), registration cancelled 1988-08-15, S/N 2012 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS S2A
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2) (registry code 0110101) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2012
- Airframe hours: 1913
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James R. Simons
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1985, 29 hours before
- Departed: HOUSTON, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane, helicopter; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,433 total, 56 in this make and model, 4,389 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 24 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 17 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 19860524019439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860524019439A), May 24, 1986: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS2S, Santa Fe, TX, Destroyed. Was observed in a inverted spin until impact. Pilot had given prior acrobatic dual to second pilot in rear cockpit.

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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