# NTSB LAX84LA450: Bastian Pitts S1S, N56AB, Tucson, AZ, August 22, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 22, 1984, 13:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Location: 32.2217° N, 110.9265° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Tucson, AZ, within about 9 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2217&lon=-110.9265&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): 24381
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA450
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24381/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA450

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED AFTER THE ACCIDENT THAT HE WAS FLYING INVERTED WHEN HE EXPERIENCED AN ENGINE FAILURE. SEVERAL IN FLIGHT RESTART ATTEMPTS WERE UNSUCCESSFUL AND THE PILOT INITIATED A FORCED LANDING ON A DIRT ROAD. WHILE ON FINAL APCH TO THE DIRT ROAD, A PICK UP TRUCK ENTERED ONTO THE ROAD WHICH FORCED THE PILOT TO LAND IN THE ROUGH DESERT ENVIRONMENT ADJACENT TO THE ROAD. PRIOR TO TOUCHDOWN, THE ACFT STRUCK THE TOP OF A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56AB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56AB-2013-04-11), registration cancelled 2013-04-11, S/N BF20, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BASTIAN PITTS S1S
- Registry model: [Bastian Richard L PITTS S1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/bastian-richard-l-pitts-s1s) (registry code 72206AL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BF-20
- Airframe hours: 638
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Amos E Buettell
- Registered owner: Amos E. Buettell
- Departed: E14, TUCSON, AZ
- Airport: Aura Valley

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 5,254 total, 867 in this make and model, 5,010 as pilot in command, 107 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## 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 19840822042849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840822042849A), Aug 22, 1984: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Avra Valley, AZ, Destroyed. Engine quit during inverted flight. Crash occurred when aircraft hit ditch during emergency landing.

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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