# NTSB MIA85FA009: Pitts Special S-1C, N54JB, Punta Gorda, FL, October 15, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1984, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Punta Gorda, FL
- Coordinates: 26.889513, -82.049842 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=26.8895&lon=-82.0498&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31204
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA85FA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31204/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA85FA009

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb
  - lubricating system - overtemperature (contributing factor)
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with object, descent - emergency
  - terrain condition - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE ACFT WAS BEING TESTED FOR HI-SPEED TAXI STABILITY. DURING THE 3RD TAXI RUN THE ACFT BECAME AIRBORNE AND A DECISION TO CONTINUE FLT AROUND THE TRAFFIC PATTERN WAS MADE. THE PLT NOTICED THE OIL TEMP AT 220 DEGREES & INCREASING. THE DECISION TO LAND ON RWY 21 WAS ABANDONED IN FAVOR OF 15 TO SHORTEN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. THE PLT ADVANCED THE THROTTLE ONTHE IDLING ENG BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE ACFT DESCENDED AND COLLIDED WITH A 25 FT TREE. THE ACFT CRASHED TO THE GROUND 1000 FT FROM THE APCH END OF RWY 15. THE INJURED PLT AND HIS WRECKED ACFT WERE SEARCHED FOR WHEN HE DID NOT RETURN. THE SEARCH PARTY LOCATED THE ACFT & PLT AT APRX 1515 EDT, ABOUT 3 HRS AFTER INITIAL TAKEOFF. NO EVIDENCE OF ANY FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION WAS FOUND IN THE ACFT ENG OR CONTROLS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N54JB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54JB-1985-04-19), registration cancelled 1985-04-19, S/N 400 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S-1C
- Registry model: [Bryan James W LONG-EZE](https://openairdocs.org/model/bryan-james-w-long-eze) (registry code 05609ZA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 400
- Airframe hours: 1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James W. Bryan
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 1984, 13 hours before
- Departed: PGD, PUNTA GORDA, FL
- Airport: PGD, Charlotte County, runway 15, 5,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: right; flight hours: 150 total, 1 in this make and model, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FMY

## 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 19841015056199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19841015056199A), Oct 15, 1984: Amtrru VARIEZELONG, Punta Gorda, FL, Destroyed. Engine quit on first flight in the homebuilt. Struck a large tree short of runway. Was using auto 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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