# NTSB LAX84FA055: Aerotek Pitts S-2B, N700ME, Elk Grove, CA, November 8, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: November 8, 1983, 15:10 local (23:10 UTC)
- Place: Elk Grove, CA
- Coordinates: 38.440074, -121.299697 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.4401&lon=-121.2997&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23905
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84FA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23905/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84FA055

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - stall/spin - intentional, pilot in command
  - procedures/directives - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - instructions,written/verbal - not followed, copilot/second pilot

## Analysis

DURING AN AEROBATIC FLT, THE PLT-IN-COMMAND WAS ASKED TO DEMONSTRATE RECOVERY FROM AN INVERTED FLAT SPIN. THE MANEUVER WAS INITIATED AT APRX 5000 FT. AFTER THE ACFT MADE APRX 3/4 OF AN INVERTED TURN, IT ROLLED UPRIGHT AS THE PIC STARTED TO 'FEED IN THROTTLE.' HE RETARDED THE THOTTLE, HELD FORWARD STICK & RIGHT RUDDER & THE ACFT ROLLED INVERTED AGAIN. AGAIN, POWER WAS APPLIED & THE PLANE ROLLED UPRIGHT AGAIN & 'WOUND UP TIGHT.' REPORTEDLY, THE PIC RETARDED THE POWER & APPLIED OPPOSITE RUDDER, BUT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE SPIN, WHICH WAS TO THE LEFT & BETWEEN A NORMAL & FLAT SPIN ATTITUDE.AT APRX 2000 FT, THE PIC ORDERED A BAILOUT, BUT THE 2ND PLT REMAINED IN THE ACFT. FINALLY, THE PIC BAILED OUT AT APRX 500 FT & WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. THE ACFT STOPPED ROTATING JUST PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE GROUND IN A NOSE DOWN, WINGS LEVELATTITUDE. TO RCVR FROM A FLAT, UPRIGHT, LEFT SPIN, THE PROCEDURING WAS: THROTTLE - IDLE, STICK - FULL LEFT TO FORCE THE INSIDE WING DOWN, HOLD UNTIL A NORMAL SPIN DEVELOPS, THEN RCVR FROM NORMAL SPIN; EXPECT 2500 FT ALT LOSS DURING RCVRY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N700ME](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N700ME-1985-09-30), registration cancelled 1985-09-30, S/N 5007 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerotek PITTS S-2B
- Registry model: [Aviat PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5007
- Airframe hours: 128
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540-H 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vernon S. Dallman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: SAC, SACRAMENTO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,262 total, 128 in this make and model, 7,183 as pilot in command, 61 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 10 nm away

## 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 19831108056549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19831108056549A), Nov 8, 1983: Child S2BPITTS, Elk Grove, CA, Destroyed. Unable to recover from a flat spin. Pilot bailed out. Second pilot with heart defect may have froze or blacked out.

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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