# NTSB LAX91DXQ01: Pitts S-1E, N9QB, Carson City, NV, November 17, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Final report
- Date: November 17, 1990, 10:45 local (18:45 UTC)
- Place: Carson City, NV
- Coordinates: 39.209079, -119.709411 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.2091&lon=-119.7094&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26957
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91DXQ01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26957/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91DXQ01

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF ROLL AND THE ABRUPT PULLUP TO A PREMATURE TAKEOFF.

## Sequence of events

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

- Abrupt maneuver, takeoff - roll/run
  - formation flying - abrupt, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - pull-up - abrupt, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT STALLED HIS AIRCRAFT WHILE ATTEMPTING A FORMATION TAKEOFF. THE PILOT INDICATED THAT HIS AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO DRIFT INTO THE OTHER AIRCRAFT AND HIS CORRECTIONS WERE NOT SUFFICIENT TO ARREST THE DRIFT. HE PULLED THE AIRCRAFT INTO THE AIR TO AVOID A COLLISION AND STALLED. HE REPORTED NO MECHANICAL MALFUNCTIONS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N9QB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1E
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: SB3
- Airframe hours: 341
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Brown, Stanley H.
- Registered owner: Brown, Stanley H
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, May 26, 1990, 22 hours before
- Airport: 024, Carson, runway 27, 5,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,100 total, 450 in this make and model, 3,100 as pilot in command, 40 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 60° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 61 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: RNO, 20 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 19901117050919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19901117050919A), Nov 17, 1990: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Carson City, NV, Substantial damage. Report wind gust drifted him toward other aircraft on formation takeoff. Turned sharply and cartwheeled.

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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