# NTSB LAX85LA393: Pitts S-2A, N13AS, Carlsbad, CA, September 17, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 16, 1985, 17:40 local (Sep 17, 1985, 00:40 UTC)
- Place: Carlsbad, CA
- Coordinates: 33.130683, -117.299156 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1307&lon=-117.2992&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24837
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA393
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24837/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA393

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - stall/spin - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - spatial disorientation, pilot in command
  - descent - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - water,glassy

## Analysis

AFTER COMPLETING AN UPRIGHT SPIN OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN DURING THE FILMING OF A MOVIE VIEWED FROM THE SPINNING ACFT, THE PLT CLIMBED HIS ACFT BACK TO THE ENTRY ALT AND ENTERED A FLAT INVERTED SPIN. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO SPIN THROUGH ITS RECOVERY ALT AT WHICH THE TIME PLT RADIOED ' I HAVE A PROBLEM, I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM.' NEITHER HE PLT NOR THE ACFT WERE RECOVERED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N13AS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N13AS-1988-07-14), registration cancelled 1988-07-14, S/N 2120 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-2A
- Registry model: [Pitts S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-s-2a) (registry code 7220401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2120
- Airframe hours: 547
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Arthur E. Scholl
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, June 3, 1985, 15 hours before
- Departed: CRQ, CARLSBAD, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 14,360 total, 500 in this make and model, 14,160 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 40 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRQ, 5 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 19850916076129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850916076129A), Sep 16, 1985: Child S2APITTS, Carlsbad, CA, Destroyed. Impacted ocean while filming an inverted flat spin. Suspect incorrect assessment of recovery action due negative gs.

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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