# NTSB FTW90DRA08: Blaine Laux Pitts S-1, N2MN, Edna, TX, September 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 9, 1990, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Edna, TX
- Coordinates: 28.97026, -96.640716 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.9703&lon=-96.6407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 22975
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90DRA08
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/22975/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90DRA08

## Probable cause

A POWER LOSS DUE TO FAILURE OF A CONNECTING ROD BOLT. A FACTOR WAS THE SOFT TERRAIN IN WHICH THE FORCED LANDING WAS PERFORMED.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - engine assembly,connecting rod bolt - failure,total (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)

## Analysis

TEN MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF THE PILOT RADIOED THAT THE ENGINE HAD LOST OIL PRESSURE AND HE ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT. ABOUT THREE MILES NORTH OF THE AIRPORT THE PILOT PERFORMED A FORCED LANDING INTO A FIELD. UPON LANDING, THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER MAKING ONE COMPLETE REVOLUTION, AND CAME TO REST ON THE MAIN GEAR AND NOSE. A CONNECTING ROD BOLT ON THE NUMBER FOUR CYLINDER FAILED. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE CASE WAS VIOLATED AND THE OIL SUMP CONTAINED METAL SHAVINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2MN](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2MN-1991-01-31), registration cancelled 1991-01-31, S/N L1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BLAINE LAUX PITTS S-1
- Registry model: [Laux PITTS MODEL S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/laux-pitts-model-s-1) (registry code 7220243) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: L-1
- Airframe hours: 892
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edgerton, Jeffery S.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Destination: FWS, FORT WORTH, TX
- Airport: 26R, Jackson Co.

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,011 total, 242 in this make and model, 844 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 130° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: VCT, 19 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 19900909038529A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900909038529A), Sep 9, 1990: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Edna, TX, Substantial damage. Lost power en route. Nosed over on forced landing in soft field. Connecting rod bolt failed.

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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