# NTSB LAX77FVJ43: Stits SA-3A, N8157, Bisbee, AZ, April 5, 1977

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: April 5, 1977
- Place: Bisbee, AZ · BISBEE, AZ
- Location: 31.3980° N, 109.9318° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Bisbee, AZ, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.3980&lon=-109.9318&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 3, 1977
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 157467
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX77FVJ43
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FVJ43

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0779   77/4/5    BISBEE,AZ           STITS SA-3A         CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 51, 890
        TIME - 1650                    N8157               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, UNK/NR IN
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            TYPE, NOT INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          BISBEE,AZ                   LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: CONTROLLED                  IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXERCISED POOR JUDGMENT
           PILOT IN COMMAND - MISJUDGED ALTITUDE
        REMARKS- LOW LEVEL ACROBATIC MANEUVER.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8157](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8157-1977-06-23), registration cancelled 1977-06-23, S/N P-766 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STITS SA-3A
- Registry model: [Lachance-Stits Playboy SA3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/lachance-stits-playboy-sa3a) (registry code 86502B2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19770405009299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19770405009299A), Apr 5, 1977: Amtrsa STITSSJ, Bisbee, AZ, Destroyed. Low level acrobatic maneuver.

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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