# NTSB FTW99LA181: Pitts Special S-1C, N69CS, Temple, TX, July 4, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 4, 1999, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Temple, TX - Coordinates: 31.079561, -97.249183 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.0796&lon=-97.2492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46756 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW99LA181 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46756/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW99LA181 ## Probable cause The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation, as a result of fuel moving away from the fuel supply outlets during maneuvering with a low fuel level, and the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the power lines during the ensuing forced landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - fluid,fuel - low level (cause) - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency descent/landing - object - wire,transmission - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency ## Analysis The experimental amateur-built aerobatic airplane impacted power lines during a forced landing following a loss of engine power. The pilot reported that after 1.8 hours of flight and 3 miles from his destination airport the 'engine stopped.' He stated that the fuel pressure gauge was indicating 'no pressure.' The pilot then turned on the fuel boost pump and ensured the mixture was rich, the throttle was full open, and the fuel selector was in the on position. He elected to make a forced landing to a field. During the emergency approach to the field, the engine 'began to run again;' however, it ran for only 30 to 45 seconds. The pilot then attempted a forced landing on a road, and the airplane impacted power lines, which the pilot stated that he 'never saw.' The FAA inspector reported that the main fuel tank contained approximately 4 gallons of fuel, and there was no header tank installed. Without a header tank, the airplane's unusable fuel while maneuvering is 5 gallons. ## Factual narrative On July 4, 1999, at 1400 central daylight time, a Pitts Special S-1C aerobatic experimental amateur-built airplane, N69CS, was substantially damaged when it impacted power lines following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near the Draughon-Miller Central Texas Regional Airport near Temple, Texas. The private pilot, sole occupant and part owner of the airplane, sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The local flight originated from Temple, approximately 1215. According to a written statement given to the FAA inspector, the pilot stated that he had flown to Georgetown, Texas, and was returning to Temple. The airplane had flown approximately 1.8 hours and was approximately 3 miles from the airport when the "engine stopped." He added that he scanned the instruments and found the fuel pressure gauge was indicating "no pressure." The pilot then turned on the fuel pump, checked that the fuel selector was in the on position, ensured that the mixture was in the rich position, and that the throttle was "full" open. The pilot initiated a forced landing to a field. At about 500 feet agl, the engine "began to run again," and the pilot elected to continue to Temple. The pilot stated that the engine only ran for 30-45 seconds, which "botched my approach into the field and left me no alternative but to land on a road." During the forced landing to the road, the airplane impacted power lines, which the pilot "never saw." The 900-pound airplane was arrested by the wires, and then fell from the power lines, impacting the ground with the tail section first. The power line support poles were damaged and electrical power was cut off to the local area. The FAA inspector, who responded to the accident site, stated that the empennage was accordion crushed forward and burn marks were noted on the airplane and propeller spinner. He estimated that there was approximately 4 gallons of fuel remaining in the main fuel tank, and added that a header tank was not installed in the accident airplane. A header tank is an optional auxiliary fuel tank, which decreases the amount of unusable fuel in the fuel system while maneuvering. Without the header tank, the unusable fuel in the basic Pitts S-1 fuel tank, while maneuvering, is 5 gallons. See the enclosed literature for more information. Numerous attempts to obtain a completed Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2) were made by the NTSB investigator-in-charge; however, the pilot failed to submit the form. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N69CS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N69CS-2017-02-28), registration cancelled 2017-02-28, S/N DEB-1, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pitts Special S-1C - Registry model: [Pitts Special S-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special-s-1c) (registry code 72202RJ) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: DEB-1 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Alan James Garcia - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: TPL, TX - Destination: TPL ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, expired; seat: center; flight hours: 598 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: TPL, 3 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 19990704008219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990704008219A), Jul 4, 1999: Amtr S1C, Temple, TX, Substantial damage. Acft experienced engine failure and made an emergency landing on a highway, other circumstances are unknown. (.19)on July 4, 1999, at 1400 central daylight… 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.