# NTSB MIA88LA039: Pitts S-1C, N14SH, Clearwater, FL, October 25, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 25, 1987, 09:30 local (14:30 UTC)
- Place: Clearwater, FL
- Location: 27.9772° N, 82.7591° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at CLEARWATER EXEC (CLW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.9772&lon=-82.7591&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 27, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32093
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA88LA039
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32093/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA88LA039

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT ON LANDING ROLL, AS HE ADDED POWER TO GO AROUND, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, RAN OFF THE RUNWAY, FLIPPED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. THE TORQUE OF THE RELATIVELY POWERFUL ENGINE ADDED TO THE CONTROL PROBLEMS IN THIS SHORT FUSELAGE TAIL WHEEL ACFT WHICH IS PRONE TO TURNING AT LOWER SPEEDS WHEN THE RUDDER IS LESS EFFECTIVE DURING TAKEOFF AND LANDING. THE TURNING IS LESS NOTICABLE TO THE PLT WHEN THE TAIL WHEEL IS ON THE GROUND DUE TO THE NOSE OF THE ACFT BLOCKING THE FORWARD VISIBILITY. THE PLT HAD LIMITED FLT EXPERIENCE IN THIS TYPE ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N14SH](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N14SH-2018-03-21), registration cancelled 2018-03-21, S/N 077-18-3254, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1C
- Registry model: [Ryan PITTS S-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/ryan-pitts-s-1c) (registry code 7221112) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 077183254
- Airframe hours: 198
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290D 125 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Boutell, John
- Registered owner: John Boutell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1987, 8 hours before
- Airport: CLW, Clearwater Air Park, runway 33, 3,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 149 total, 29 in this make and model, 42 as pilot in command, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 20° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PIE

## 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 19871025066359A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871025066359A), Oct 25, 1987: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, Clearwater, FL, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on a go around from a touch and go. Ran off runway and overturned.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.