# NTSB LAX86LA051: Pitts S1-C, N75PB, San Jose, CA, December 1, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 1, 1985, 14:27 local (22:27 UTC)
- Place: San Jose, CA
- Coordinates: 37.330425, -121.770713 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3304&lon=-121.7707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25026
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA051
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25026/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA051

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - fuel system,carburetor - ice (contributing factor)
  - carburetor heat - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - wet

## Analysis

THE PLT WAS PRACTICING TAKEOFF AND LANDINGS ON RWY 13 AT REID-HILLVIEW AIRPORT, SAN JOSE, CA. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE BASE LEG TO FINAL TURN, WHILE NEGOTIATING A 'POWER-OFF' APCH, HE ATTEMPTED BY APPLY PWR BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE ACFT CRASHED IN A MUDDY FIELD ABOUT 1/4 MILE NORTHWEST OF THE APCH END OF THE RWY. THE ENG OPERATED NORMALLY DURING THE POST-ACCIDENT FUNCTIONAL TEST. THE CURRENT TEMP/DEWPOINT WAS 55 DEG F AND 45 DEG F RESPECTIVELY. ACCORDING TOTHE ICING PROBABILITY CURVE, THE TEMP/DEWPOINT CONDITIONS WERE FAVORABLE TO SERIOUS ICING CONDITIONS IN CRUISE OR CLIMB POWER SETTINGS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N75PB-2011-04-15), registration cancelled 2011-04-15, S/N 1-001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S1-C
- Registry model: [Larkin Keith PITTS S1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/larkin-keith-pitts-s1c) (registry code 7221181) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Airframe hours: 280
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Alan H. Douglas
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1985
- Airport: RHV, Reid-Hillview, runway 13R, 3,099 × 75 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 46; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 954 total, 38 in this make and model, 783 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 15,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: RHV

## 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 19851201062999A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851201062999A), Dec 1, 1985: Child S1PITTS, San Jose, CA, Substantial damage. No engine response to power application. Landed short of runway in mud and nosed over. Did not use carburetor heat.

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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