# NTSB LAX90DUJ09: Stits SA6B, N4203, Tucson, AZ, August 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 23, 1990, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Tucson, AZ
- Coordinates: 32.220489, -110.820602 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.2205&lon=-110.8206&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26548
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90DUJ09
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26548/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90DUJ09

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT OF THE UNREGISTERED, NON-CERTIFICATED HOMEBUILT AIRCRAFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND IN A NOSE LOW, INVERTED ATTITUDE WHILE IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. GROUND WITNESSES OBSERVED THE AIRCRAFT TO BE LOW AND SLOW, AND STALL WHILE TURNING FROM BASE TO FINAL APPROACH. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE, STRUCTURE, AND FLIGHT CONTROLS FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-IMPACT MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4203](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4203-2010-11-17), registration cancelled 2010-11-17, S/N P-2159, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STITS SA6B
- Registry model: [Stits SA6B](https://openairdocs.org/model/stits-sa6b) (registry code 86504TH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental A&C65 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-a-c65-series) (registry code 17003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: P2159
- Airframe hours: 74
- Engines: CONTINENTAL A65-8 65 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Almada, Ernest
- Registered owner: Lowe Ralph J
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Airport: 40E, Lacholla Airpark, runway 19, 4,500 × 36 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 69 total, 10 in this make and model, 43 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point -0 °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 19900823035309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900823035309A), Aug 23, 1990: Amtr SA6B, Tucson, AZ, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Stalled and impacted inverted turning base to final. No recent flight time. Homebuilt not registered or inspected.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.