# NTSB LAX87LA056: Pitts Special S1-D, N365A, Phoenix, AZ, November 29, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 29, 1986, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Phoenix, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.489906, -112.210121 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4899&lon=-112.2101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25483
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA056
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25483/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA056

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

AT THE END OF A LOCAL PLEASURE FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED WHILE THE PILOT WAS TURNING OFF OF RUNWAY 7R ONTO A HIGH SPEED TAXIWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT NEAR THE END OF THE LANDING ROLL, HE TAPPED THE BRAKES LIGHTLY IN PREPARATION TO TURN WHEN THE PLANE GROUND LOOPED. NO PRE-ACCIDENT PART FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND. DURING THE OCCURRENCE, THE LEFT MAIN GEAR WAS FRACTURED AND THE LOWER LEFT WING AND PROP WERE DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N365A (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S1-D
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 7-0158
- Airframe hours: 250
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Richard L. Johnson
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 5, 1986, 35 hours before
- Departed: DVT
- Airport: DVT, Deer Valley, runway 7R, 5,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 262 total, 20 in this make and model, 197 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 45 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DVT

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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