# NTSB LAX84LA326: Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S, N608BC, Piru, CA, May 28, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 28, 1984, 15:00 local (22:00 UTC)
- Place: Piru, CA
- Coordinates: 34.430297, -118.750961 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.4303&lon=-118.7510&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24291
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA326
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24291/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA326

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - starting procedure - attempted, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

PLT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANUEVERS IN A DESIGNATED PRACTICE AREA AT AN ALTITUDE OF 2500 FT AGL. THE PLT STATED THAT HE PERFORMED A 'TAIL SLIDE' MANEUVER AND THE ENGINE STOPPED WHICH 'IS A NORMAL ENGINE RESPONSE FOR THE MANEUVER.' THE PLT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE ENG AND MADE AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN DRY RIVERBED. DURING THE LANDING ROLL THE ACFT STRUCK A DITCH AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N608BC (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS SPECIAL S-1S (PITTS SPEC)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: KA-102
- Airframe hours: 204
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Cornick
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, August 16, 1983, 50 hours before
- Departed: SZP, SANTA PAULA, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 13,352 total, 525 in this make and model, 8,176 as pilot in command, 168 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19840528025309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840528025309A), May 28, 1984: Child S1SPITTS, Piru, CA, Substantial damage. Aerobatic maneuver. Tail slide, unable to restart engine, landed on dry riverbed, hit chuck hole, nosed over.

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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