# NTSB FTW91DPA02: Paul M. F. Walker Pitts S-1-C, N4PW, Royse City, TX, June 29, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: June 29, 1991, 13:40 local (18:40 UTC)
- Place: Royse City, TX
- Coordinates: 32.970932, -96.329231 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9709&lon=-96.3292&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report March 24, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23189
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW91DPA02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23189/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW91DPA02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S PERFORMANCE OF AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER AT AN ALTITUDE TOO LOW TO ALLOW RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, other

## Analysis

DURING CLIMBOUT, JUST AFTER TAKEOFF, THE PILOT PERFORMED A SNAP ROLL. AFTER THE 360 DEGREE SNAP ROLL, THE AIRPLANE COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN, MAIN LANDING GEAR FIRST. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER, BOUNCED, AND CAME TO REST SEMI-ERECT ON THE PROPELLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4PW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4PW-1994-03-30), registration cancelled 1994-03-30, S/N 470H (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PAUL M. F. WALKER PITTS S-1-C (PITTS S-1-)
- Registry model: [Walker PITTS SPEC S-1-C](https://openairdocs.org/model/walker-pitts-spec-s-1-c) (registry code 7220262) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 470H
- Airframe hours: 600
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ryan Brown Seals
- Registered owner: Ryan Brown Seals
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1990, 152 hours before
- Airport: 68TS, Bishop Field, runway 21, 3,500 × 30 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 7,800 total, 550 in this make and model, 7,800 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19910629024799A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910629024799A), Jun 29, 1991: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, Royce City, TX, Substantial damage. Snap rolled on initial takeoff. Lost altitude and collided with ground while completing snap roll.

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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