# NTSB FTW87DRA01: Strissel Pitts S1S, N815DB, Friendswood, TX, March 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1987, 16:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Friendswood, TX
- Coordinates: 29.509664, -95.190139 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.5097&lon=-95.1901&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22186
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRA01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22186/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRA01

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, cruise - normal
  - propeller system/accessories - separation (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,crankshaft - fatigue (cause)
  - maintenance,major repair - inadequate, unqualified person (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven

## Analysis

THE PROP SEPARATED DURING FLT AND THE PLT WAS FORCED TO LAND THE ACFT ON ROUGH TERRAIN. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THAT THE PROP HAD SEPARATED AS A RESULT OF A PREVIOUSLY EXISTING CRACK IN THE ENG CRANKSHAFT. THE ENG HAD BEEN REBUILT FROM COMPONENTS SALVAGED FROM AN ENG INVOLVED IN A PREVIOUS WRECK AND INSTALLED BY A NON-CERTIFICATED MECHANIC.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N815DB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: STRISSEL PITTS S1S
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 70422
- Airframe hours: 352
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4M 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John S. Shackelford
- Registered owner: John S Shockelford, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 19, 1986
- Departed: T02, FRIENDSWOOD, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 6,439 total, 37 in this make and model, 3,458 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 150° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 43 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: HOU, 5 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 19870302003889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870302003889A), Mar 2, 1987: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Friendswood, TX, Substantial damage. The propeller separated from the aircraft inflight. Evidence shows a preexisting crack in the propeller.

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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