# NTSB FTW89DRA02: Pitts S1A, N9961, Santa Fe, TX, January 22, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: January 22, 1989, 15:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Santa Fe, TX
- Coordinates: 29.37994, -95.08934 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.3799&lon=-95.0893&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report January 31, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW89DRA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW89DRA02

## Probable cause

PILOT IN COMMAND FAILED TO MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ALTITUDE AND CLEARANCE ON FINAL APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - object - wire,transmission(marked)
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

ACFT SETTLED ON FINAL APP, STRUCK PWR LINES, AND SUBSEQUENTLY CRASHED ON THE AIRPORT. PLT WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE AIRPORT AND THE LINES WERE MARKED WITH HIGH VIS BALLS. PLT COULD NOT REMEMBER ANYTHING ABOUT THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9961](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9961-1991-04-30), registration cancelled 1991-04-30, S/N 1969WA (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S1A
- Registry model: [Austin PITTS SPECIAL 1A](https://openairdocs.org/model/austin-pitts-special-1a) (registry code 72202DE) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1969 WA
- Airframe hours: 604
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Johnson, Lawrence F.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 4, 1988, 18 hours before
- Airport: TX66, Rebel Field, runway 17, 1,600 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,450 total, 394 in this make and model, 1,400 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19890122001089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890122001089A), Jan 22, 1989: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1A, Santa Fe, TX, Substantial damage. Struck wires and crashed while on short final for the runway.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.