# NTSB MIA83FLD01: Pitts Special S-1C, N507LS, St. Petersburg, FL, February 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Final report
- Date: February 19, 1983, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: St. Petersburg, FL
- Coordinates: 27.739919, -82.690254 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.7399&lon=-82.6903&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30815
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA83FLD01
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30815/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FLD01

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, cruise
  - engine instruments,fuel quantity gage - inoperative (contributing factor)
  - engine instrument - improper use of, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause)
  - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THIS WAS THE PLT'S 2ND FLT IN HIS HOME BUILT ACFT. DURING HIS PREFLIGHT, HE CHECKED THE SIGHT GAUGE FOR FUEL, BUT DID NOT VISUALLY CHECK THE FUEL TANK. THE GAUGE INDICATED THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 17 GAL OF FUEL REMAINING. DURING FLIGHT, THE ENGINE LOST POWER AND RAN ONLY A FEW SECONDS WHEN A RESTART WAS ATTEMPTED. SUBSEQUENTLY, A CRASH LANDING WAS MADE ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS. THE PLT REPORTED THAT HE HAD INCORPORATED AN ON/OFF VALVE IN A FUEL LINE TO THE SIGHT GAUGE, SO HE COULD TURN IT OFF IF A FUEL LEAK OCCURRED IN THE GAUGE SYSTEM. HE REPORTED THAT EARLIER, HE HAD TURNED THE VALVE OFF & HAD FORGOTTEN IT, THUS TRAPPING FUEL IN THE GAUGE. AFTER THE ACCIDENT, HE ESTIMATED THAT HE HAD ABOUT 3 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD WHEN HE TOOKOFF.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N507LS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N507LS-1988-03-10), registration cancelled 1988-03-10, S/N ALS001 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S-1C (SPECIAL S-)
- Registry model: [Stephens AL PITTS SPECIAL S-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/stephens-al-pitts-special-s-1c) (registry code 7221187) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: ALS-001
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-320-C1A 160 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: A. L. Stevens, Dds
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, February 7, 1983, 1 hours before
- Departed: SPG, ST. PETERSBURG, FL

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 356 total, 1 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 645 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 30° at 5 knots
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

## 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 19830219004609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830219004609A), Feb 19, 1983: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, St Petersburg, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot misjudged fuel quantity, engine quit due to fuel starvation and aircraft crashed during forced landing.

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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