# NTSB FTW87DRG01: Davis Pitts S-1S, N90DW, Coleman, TX, April 11, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: April 11, 1987, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Coleman, TX
- Coordinates: 31.829872, -99.420158 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.8299&lon=-99.4202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 29, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22209
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW87DRG01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22209/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW87DRG01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - descent - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - pull-up - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED SEVERAL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS FOR AN AIR SHOW AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DOING A SERIES OF FIVE SNAP ROLLS AT AN ALTITUDE OF 200-300 FEET AGL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT TO DROP DURING THE THIRD SNAP ROLL AND CONTINUE TO DROP DURING THE FOURTH AND FIFTH ROLL. AFTER COMPLETION OF THE FIFTH ROLL THE NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO BE ALMOST STRAIGHT DOWN. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO START TO RECOVER BUT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING THE PULL OUT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N90DW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N90DW-1994-08-08), registration cancelled 1994-08-08, S/N 1940JD (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: DAVIS PITTS S-1S
- Registry model: [Davis Jack PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-jack-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 72206AH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1940JD
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Tennyson L. Wharton
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: COL, Coleman Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 31; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; toxicology performed; flight hours: 640 total, 200 in this make and model, 600 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F

## 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 19870411009019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870411009019A), Apr 11, 1987: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Coleman, TX, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Crashed while performing snap rolls at an airshow. Aircraft recovered in a nose down attitude. Struck 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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