# NTSB FTW90FA037: Christen Industries Pitts S-2B, N6031U, La Junta, TX, November 23, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 23, 1989, 12:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: La Junta, TX
- Coordinates: 32.959201, -97.680366 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9592&lon=-97.6804&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23004
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW90FA037
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23004/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW90FA037

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S DELAYED REMEDIAL ACTION TO RECOVER FROM THE SPIN AND HIS MISJUDGING OF ALTITUDE.

## 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
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS OVER AN OPEN FIELD. HE ACCOMPLISHED A HAMMERHEAD STALL & THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESCENDING, WHEN IT STARTED A RIGHT SPIN. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE PILOT ATTEMPTING TO RECOVER FROM THE SPIN & HEARD THE ENGINE BACKFIRE SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE FULL POWER WAS APPLIED. THE AIRPLANE WAS THEN AT A LOW ALTITUDE AS THE PILOT WAS SEEN TO RECOVER AND ATTEMPT TO PULL UP. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN AN OPEN FIELD IN A 35 DEGREE NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND NEAR WINGS LEVEL POSITION. NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION WAS NOTED DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6031U](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6031U-2014-12-18), registration cancelled 2014-12-18, S/N 5122, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES PITTS S-2B
- Registry model: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-540-series) (registry code 41532, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5122
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Vernon C. Rawls
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: T67, FORT WORTH, TX

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 482 total, 92 in this make and model, 292 as pilot in command, 19 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 18 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FWH, 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 19891123046399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891123046399A), Nov 23, 1989: Child S2BPITTS, La Junta, TX, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Observed to perform acrobatics then hammerhead stall. Entered spin and failed to recover.

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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