# NTSB LAX85LA162: Sevdy Pitts Special 104, N913S, Yuma, AZ, March 2, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 2, 1985, 10:20 local (17:20 UTC)
- Place: Yuma, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.679462, -114.65979 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.6795&lon=-114.6598&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): 24667
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24667/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA162

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
  - engine assembly,cylinder - low compression (contributing factor)
- Forced landing, descent
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - terrain condition - dirt bank/rising embankment
- Nose over, approach - vfr pattern - final approach

## Analysis

WHILE PRACTICING AEROBATICS FOR AN AIRSHOW, THE PLT ENTERED A SPIN. DURING THE SPIN MANEUVER, THE ENG SPUTTERED, LOST POWER & THE PROP STOPPED TURNING. THE ACFT WAS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ELECTRIC STARTER, SO THE PLT TRIED TO WINDMILL THE PROP BY DIVING, BUT WAS UNABLE. THE ACFT WAS NEAR AN 1800 FT AG STRIP, SO THE PLT ELECTED TO MAKE A FORCED LANDING THERE. HOWEVER, ON FINAL APCH, THE LANDING GEAR STRUCK A DIRT EMBANKMENT OF AN IRRIGATION DITCH, JUST SHORT OF THE AIRSTRIP. THE ACFT THEN NOSED OVER & CAME TO REST IN THE DITCH. DURING AN EXAM, A LACK OF COMPRESSION WAS FOUND IN THE #1 & #3 CYLINDERS; HOWEVER, NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS VERIFIED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N913S (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: SEVDY PITTS SPECIAL 104
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 105
- Airframe hours: 890
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-C2C 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Finer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1985, 2 hours before
- Departed: YUM, YUMA, AZ
- Airport: Ag Strip

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; military, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,626 total, 72 in this make and model, 1,376 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 16 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19850302008589A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850302008589A), Mar 2, 1985: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Yuma, AZ, Substantial damage. Engine failed during aerobatic routine. Struck bank 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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