# NTSB LAX87LA159: Jones Pitts Special S1A, N9GD, Franklin, CA, March 29, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1987, 16:30 local (Mar 29, 1987, 00:30 UTC)
- Place: Franklin, CA
- Coordinates: 38.510787, -121.489181 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5108&lon=-121.4892&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 30, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25549
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX87LA159
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25549/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX87LA159

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - wind information - not obtained, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command
  - remedial action - delayed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN A GUST OF WIND FROM THE RIGHT PUSHED THE AIRCRAFT OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE TERRAIN AND NOSED OVER. THERE WAS NO MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION REPORTED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9GD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9GD), registered now, S/N GD-1, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JONES PITTS SPECIAL S1A (PITTS SPEC)
- Registry model: [Davis PITTS S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/davis-pitts-s-1) (registry code 7220293) (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: GD-1
- Airframe hours: 400
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Veal, Robert E.
- Registered owner: Robinson Don M.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: Q40, ELK GROVE, CA
- Destination: Q53, FRANKLIN, CA
- Airport: Q53, Franklin, runway 36, 3,295 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,100 total, 20 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 13 knots, gusting 18
- Visibility: 100 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SAC, 15 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 19870328008749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870328008749A), Mar 28, 1987: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1A, Franklin, CA, Substantial damage. The aircraft veered off the runway during landing in gusty wind conditions.

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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