# NTSB LAX82FVM12: Pitts 51, N8WA, Morgan Hill, CA, February 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: February 20, 1982, 16:50 local (Feb 21, 1982, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Morgan Hill, CA
- Coordinates: 37.839393, -122.229064 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8394&lon=-122.2291&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report February 20, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71764
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82FVM12
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71764/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82FVM12

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(partial) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - lubricating system,oil line - failure,partial (cause)
  - lubricating system,oil line - leak (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, landing - flare/touchdown
  - object - wire,transmission (cause)

## Analysis

WHILE PERFORMING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS THE PILOT NOTICED SMOKEAND OIL STREAMING BACK FROM THE ENGINE AND A LOSS OF OIL PRESSURE. HE THROTTLED BACK IMMEDIATELY AND STARTED A DESCENT TOWARDS A VACANT FIELD. IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR SOME TELEPHONE LINES IN HIS PATH HE ADVANCED THE THROTTLE BUT THE ENGINE WOULD NOT RESPOND. HE COLLIDED WITH THE LINES AND THE AIR CRAFT CAME TO REST IN THE FIELD. ENGINE EXAMINATION REVEALEDA RUPTURED FLEXIBLE OIL LINE RUNNING FROM THE REAR OIL PUMP UNDER THE ENGINE TO THE FORWARD OIL COOLER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8WA (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS 51
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1973
- Airframe hours: 421
- Engines: LYCOMING VO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Curtis Hawks
- Registered owner: Curtis Hawks
- Departed: MORGAN HILL, CA
- Destination: MORGAN HILL, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,087 total, 281 in this make and model, 908 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles

## 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 19820220000299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820220000299A), Feb 20, 1982: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Morgan Hill, CA, Substantial damage. Oil and smoke from engine after aerobatics. Idling engine quit due smoke ingestion. Hit powerline. Oil line broken.

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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