# NTSB FTW87DQA01: Beggs Pitts S-1, N16GB, El Paso, TX, December 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: December 20, 1986, 15:21 local (22:21 UTC)
- Place: El Paso, TX
- Coordinates: 31.640378, -106.270423 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.6404&lon=-106.2704&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): 22182
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DQA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22182/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DQA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, descent - uncontrolled
  - stall/spin - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - not performed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

COMMERCIAL PILOT PRACTICING AEROBATICS IN PITTS S1 EXPERIMENTAL HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT ENTERED SPIN. PILOT FAILED TO RECOVER CONTROL OF AIRCRAFT DURING DESCENT. AIRCRAFT IMPACTED TERRAIN APPROXIMATELY 1/2 MILE SOUTH OF WEST TEXAS AIRPORT NEAR EL PASO, TX.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N16GB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N16GB-1988-08-15), registration cancelled 1988-08-15, S/N 494H (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BEGGS PITTS S-1
- Registry model: [Beggs PITTS S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/beggs-pitts-s-1) (registry code 7220755) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 494-4
- Airframe hours: 714
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 360 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Harold G. Smith
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, November 1, 1986, 14 hours before
- Departed: TX04, EL PASO, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,483 total, 85 in this make and model, 3,276 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 57 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ELP, 8 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 19861220068429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861220068429A), Dec 20, 1986: Child S1PITTS, El Paso, TX, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted the ground in an inverted spin. Pilot continued aerobatic maneuver below safe altitude.

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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