# NTSB LAX86FVG05: Brown Pitts Special, N9BB, Bridgeville, CA, July 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1986, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Bridgeville, CA
- Coordinates: 40.460666, -123.669319 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4607&lon=-123.6693&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86FVG05
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86FVG05

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to reverse direction
  - airspeed - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

WITNESSES REPORTED THE PLT MADE 4 OR 5 LOW PASSES OVER THE RWY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. DURING EACH PASS THE ACFT WAS ROLLED INVERTED, THE ENG WOULD QUIT AND THE PLT WOULD ROLL THE ACFT UPRIGHT. ON THE LAST PASS, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES, THE ENG QUIT AGAIN, THE ACFT STALLED AND COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN DURING A TURN BACK TOWARD THE ARPT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9BB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9BB-2006-11-02), registration cancelled 2006-11-02, S/N 1, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BROWN PITTS SPECIAL (PITTS SPEC)
- Registry model: [Brown PITTS SPECIAL S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/brown-pitts-special-s-1) (registry code 7220211) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: S-1
- Airframe hours: 466
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth A. Harding
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 15, 1986
- Departed: Q95, RUTH, CA
- Airport: Q95, Ruth, runway 13, 3,170 × 45 ft, macadam

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 29; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 440 total, 77 in this make and model, 410 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19860720034299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860720034299A), Jul 20, 1986: Child S1PITTS, Bridgeville, CA, Substantial damage. Made inverted low level pass across runway. When engine quit, attempted to roll level. Stalled,impacted the ground.

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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