# NTSB LAX74FUG09: Pitts SPL S-1C, N7021, Highgrove, CA, September 8, 1974

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: September 8, 1974
- Place: Highgrove, CA · HIGHGROVE, CA
- Location: 34.0106° N, 117.3098° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Highgrove, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0106&lon=-117.3098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1974
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 134327
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX74FUG09
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX74FUG09-134327

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2630   74/9/8    HIGHGROVE,CALIF     PITTS SPL S-1C      CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 29, 2500
        TIME - UNK/NR                  N7021               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          RUBIDOUX,CALIF              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLIDED WITH: TREES                                     IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - UNWARRANTED LOW FLYING
        FACTOR(S)
           TERRAIN - HIGH OBSTRUCTIONS
        MISSING AIRCRAFT - LATER RECOVERED
        REMARKS- DOING AEROBATICS & DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT.ACFT WRECKAGE FOUND NEXT DAY IN AREA LAST SEEN.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7021](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7021-2014-12-02), registration cancelled 2014-12-02, S/N 19975, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPL S-1C
- Registry model: [Pitts Special S-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special-s-1c) (registry code 72202TW) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming HO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-ho-360-series) (registry code 41513, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage

## 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 19740908029859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19740908029859A), Sep 8, 1974: Child S2PITT*, Highgrove, CA, Substantial damage. Doing aerobatics & disappeared from sight. Acft wreckage found next day in area last seen.

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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