# NTSB LAX85FUM01: Aerotek Pitts S-2A, N56PS, Ramona, CA, July 29, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: July 28, 1985, 18:20 local (Jul 29, 1985, 01:20 UTC)
- Place: Ramona, CA
- Location: 33.0417° N, 116.8681° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Ramona, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0417&lon=-116.8681&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24545
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FUM01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24545/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FUM01

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - maneuver - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

ON JULY 28, 1985 AT APPROXIMATELY 1820 HOURS, A PITTS S-2A, N56PS, OWNED AND OPERATED BY WILLIAM L. TRAVIS, CRASHED ON A HILLSIDE ON THE 192 DEG RADIAL, 12.8 NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE JULIAN VOR. THE FLIGHT WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF AEROBATICS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM MONTGOMERY FIELD, SAN DIEGO, CA., ON JULY 28, 1985 AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 HOURS. ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56PS-1989-01-12), registration cancelled 1989-01-12, S/N 2056 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerotek PITTS S-2A
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2056
- Engines: LYCOMING I0360-AIA 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: William Travis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: MYF, SAN DIEGO, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,574 total, 1,327 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °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 19850728034589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850728034589A), Jul 28, 1985: Child S2APITTS, Ramona, CA, Destroyed. Aircraft in nose down attitude collided with hill. Local aerobatics flight.

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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