# NTSB FTW93LA069: Pitts S1C, N22R, Godley, TX, January 15, 1993 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: January 15, 1993, 16:39 local (22:39 UTC) - Place: Godley, TX - Coordinates: 32.439891, -97.520736 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.4399&lon=-97.5207&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 18686 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA069 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18686/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA069 ## Probable cause THE PARTIAL POWER LOSS DUE TO THE PILOT'S DELAYED APPLICATION OF CARBURETOR HEAT. FACTORS WERE CARBURETOR ICE, AND THE SLOPING TERRAIN ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor) - carburetor heat - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency - terrain condition - downhill (contributing factor) ## Analysis DURING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND EXPERIENCED A PARTIAL LOSS OF POWER. TEMPERATURE AND DEW POINT WERE 53 AND 46 DEGREES RESPECTIVELY. ICING PROBABILITY CHARTS SHOW THAT THE AIRPLANE WAS OPERATING IN A REGION CONDUCIVE TO SERIOUS ICING FOR CARBURETOR EQUIPPED AIRPLANES, BOTH PRESSURIZED AND UNPRESSURIZED. THE PILOT SELECTED AN OPEN FIELD TO PERFORM THE LANDING; HOWEVER, IT SLOPED AWAY FROM THE INITIAL TOUCHDOWN. DURING THE INITIAL TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER AND CARTWHEELED ONCE TO ITS FINAL RESTING PLACE ## Factual narrative On January 15, 1993, at 1639 central standard time, a Pitts S1C, N22R, was substantially damaged when it impacted the ground near Godley, Texas. The private pilot (owner) sustained minor injuries. Weather for the 14 CFR Part 91 flight was visual meteorological conditions. During an interview with the pilot conducted by the investigator in charge and in a written statement, the pilot reported the information in this paragraph. He departed a local private grass strip to practice aerobatic maneuvers. "Prior to entering the designated aerobatic block the pilot decided to perform some flight maneuvers, so as to warm up the airplane." During the warmup maneuvers he stated that the "engine began to cough." He cycled the throttle lever in an attempt to clear the engine and applied carburetor heat. He further reported that the engine never lost complete power. The pilot selected what he thought was a suitable area to land and executed a forced landing. An inspection of the accident site revealed that the airplane impacted the ground on terrain that was sloping downward and away from the direction of the approach. Physical evidence at the scene revealed that the airplane left impressions of the tail landing gear, main landing gear, and propeller at the initial ground contact (144 feet prior to it's final resting place). The ground signatures were measured and they matched the dimensions of the distance from the tail landing gear to the main landing gear and from the main landing gear to the propeller of a normally configured airplane. The main landing gear collapsed and the propeller mounting flange was sheared opposite the direction of rotation. Examination of the airplane revealed that the engine did not have a data plate installed and the owner stated it was not present when he purchased the airplane. The normal engine configuration for this airplane is a 140 horsepower, this airplane had a 180 horsepower engine installed. The propeller had separated from the mounting flange and each blade exhibited equal distortion. An examination of the propeller mounting flange revealed that it had sheared opposite the direction of rotation. Soil and grass were embedded in the remaining flange in a twisting motion. The propeller assembly was located 44 feet from the initial ground contact. Five propeller strike marks were found four feet in front of the initial ground contact. Physical evidence indicated that the airplane cartwheeled one time prior to reaching it's final resting place. There was a large quantity of fuel present at impact (amount undetermined due to spillage). A witness at the scene reported that the airplane performed low level aerobatic maneuvers over his house and another adjoining house. The same witness saw the airplane impact the ground. A review of the icing probability charts indicated that the airplane was operating in an area conducive to serious icing in pressure type carburetors. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22R](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N22R-2011-11-29), registration cancelled 2011-11-29, S/N 1, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS S1C - Registry model: [Ralph L Page PITTS SPECIAL S-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ralph-l-page-pitts-special-s-1c) (registry code 72202TA) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Blair, Geary L. - Registered owner: Blair, Geary L. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1992 - Departed: NONE - Destination: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 492 total, 148 in this make and model, 390 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FTW, 20 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 19930115000409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930115000409A), Jan 15, 1993: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, Godley, TX, Substantial damage. Engine quit during low level acrobatics over residential area. Serious carb icing conditions. Cartwheeled on impact ## Other investigations on N22R (2) 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. - [NTSB MKC86LA014](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA014), Oct 19, 1985: Pitts S1C (N22R), Goodland, KS, substantial damage - [NTSB DEN83LA188](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA188), Aug 14, 1983: Pitts Special S-1C (N22R), Hudson, CO, substantial damage 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.