# NTSB LAX80FVD12: Pitts S-1S, N55TH, Tracy, CA, March 8, 1980

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: March 8, 1980
- Place: Tracy, CA · TRACY, CA
- Location: 37.7274° N, 121.4522° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tracy, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7274&lon=-121.4522&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 9, 1980
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 131567
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX80FVD12
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FVD12

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-1489   80/3/8    TRACY,CA            PITTS S-1S          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, FL.INSTR.,
        TIME - 1540                    N55TH               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  AGE 47, 5100 TOTAL HOURS,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            148 IN TYPE, INSTRUMENT
                                                                                                   RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - NEW JERUSALEM
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          TRACY,CA                    LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - IMPROPER OPERATION OF FLIGHT CONTROLS
        REMARKS- ACFT ENTERED INVERTED FLAT SPIN AFT COMPLETING SNAP ROLLS.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N55TH (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1S
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: New Jerusalem

## 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 19800308005059A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19800308005059A), Mar 8, 1980: Amtrpt PITTSPECS1C, Tracy, CA, Destroyed. Inadvertently entered flat inverted spin while doing acrobatics. Did not recover.

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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