# NTSB LAX82FVD03: Stits SA3A, N7758C, Tracy, CA, October 31, 1981

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: October 31, 1981
- 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 January 19, 1981
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 122987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVD03
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVD03

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-3155  81/10/31 NR.TRACY,CA           STITS SA3A          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 36, 1094
        TIME - 1230                    N7758C              PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 29 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          HAYWARD,CA                 TRACY,CA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - EXCEEDED DESIGNED STRESS LIMITS OF AIRCRAFT
        FACTOR(S)
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: SPARS
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
        REMARKS- LEFT WING SEPD OUTBOARD OF STRUT AFT ACFT OBSD IN ROLLING MNVR.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7758C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7758C-2013-10-24), registration cancelled 2013-10-24, S/N P-555, built 1961 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STITS SA3A
- Registry model: [Stits Playboy SA3A](https://openairdocs.org/model/stits-playboy-sa3a) (registry code 86502RK) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental C85 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-c85-series) (registry code 17008, reciprocating) (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 19811031085489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19811031085489A), Oct 31, 1981: Amtrsa STITSSA3A, Tracy, CA, Destroyed. Pilot rolled aircraft and wing came off. Airplane not approved for aerobatics.

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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