# NTSB LAX90FA219: Aerotek Pitts S2A, N29MC, Thermal, CA, June 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: June 11, 1990, 09:55 local (16:55 UTC)
- Place: Thermal, CA
- Coordinates: 33.480602, -116.099136 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4806&lon=-116.0991&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 14, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26635
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90FA219
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26635/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA219

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE HANDLING OF THE AIRPLANE DURING AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft handling - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

DURING THE PRECEDING WEEK THE PILOT HAD BEEN REGULARLY PRACTICING AEROBATICS. DURING THE PRECEDING 6 MONTHS THE PILOT HAD RECEIVED 15 HOURS OF AEROBATICS INSTRUCTION. ON THE DAY OF THE ACCIDENT THE PILOT DEPARTED THERMAL AIRPORT TO PRACTICE AEROBATICS. THE WRECKAGE WAS FOUND THE FOLLOWING DAY. GROUND SCARS AND WRECKAGE EXAMINATION INDICATE THAT THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED IN AN INVERTED, WINGS LEVEL, 75 DEG NOSE-DOWN ATTITUDE, AND AT AN EXTREMELY HIGH VELOCITY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29MC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29MC-2012-09-24), registration cancelled 2012-09-24, S/N 2095, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerotek PITTS S2A
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2095
- Airframe hours: 997
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1A reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Nine One Seventy, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 1990, 7 hours before
- Airport: TRM, Thermal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 732 total, 28 in this make and model, 662 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19900611019859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900611019859A), Jun 11, 1990: Child S2APITTS, Thermal, CA, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Inverted GR0UND impact. Was practicing aerobatic manuevers.

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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