# NTSB MIA83FA231: Pitts S-2A, N80041, Green Cove Spr., FL, September 15, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 15, 1983, 00:00 local (04:00 UTC)
- Place: Green Cove Spr., FL
- Coordinates: 29.979713, -81.670127 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.9797&lon=-81.6701&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30808
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FA231
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30808/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA231

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND AND WAS DESTROYED DURING A PLEASURE FLT. EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE AND THE ACCIDENT SITE REVEALED EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST THAT THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND WHILE IN A STEEP LEFT BANK, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE AND A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT AND FORWARD SPEED. THE ACFT BOUNCED ABOUT 15 FT INTO THE AIR AND CARTWHEELED 50 FT INTO A WOODED AREA. NO EVIDENCE WAS FOUND TO INDICATE ANY PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N80041](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N80041-2013-06-27), registration cancelled 2013-06-27, S/N 2086, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-2A
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2086
- Airframe hours: 1056
- Engines: LYCOMING AE10-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Roger A. Capel
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, April 24, 1983, 38 hours before
- Departed: GREEN COVE SPR., FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 39; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; toxicology performed; flight hours: 4,500 total, 250 in this make and model, 40 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 8,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: NIP, 25 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 19830915049329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830915049329A), Sep 15, 1983: Child S2APITTS, Green Cove Spri, FL, Destroyed. Near vertical impact into a wooded area. No witnesses. Was low on fuel. Placard against acrobatics with low fuel.

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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