# NTSB MKC87LA162: Maxfield Pitts S-1S, N900K, Meade, KS, August 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 16, 1987, 18:20 local (23:20 UTC)
- Place: Meade, KS
- Coordinates: 37.279666, -100.329582 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2797&lon=-100.3296&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA162

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - maintenance,overhaul - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - engine assembly,bearing - failure,total (cause)
  - engine assembly,connecting rod - overload
  - engine assembly,connecting rod cap - overload
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, WHILE DEPG TO THE SE, THE ENG SEIZED. ALL OF THE SURROUNDING TERRAIN CONSISTED OF PLOWED FIELDS, SO THE PLT TRIED TO GLIDE BACK TO THE ARPT; HOWEVER, HE HAD INSUFFICIENT SPEED & ALT TO GET ALIGNED WITH THE RWY. DRG THE LNDG, THE ACFT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE SHOULDER OF THE RWY & WAS DAMAGED. AN EXAM OF THE ENG REVEALED THE #3 ROD CAP & BOLTS HAD FAILED. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THE ROD-TO-CRANKSHAFT BEARING HAD BEEN ROTATING IN THE ROD & HAD INITIATED THE FAILURE. THE ENG HAD 21 HRS OF FLT TIME SINCE IT HAD BEEN OVERHAULED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N900K](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N900K-2013-08-22), registration cancelled 2013-08-22, S/N 1JM, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: MAXFIELD PITTS S-1S
- Registry model: [Maxfield John O PITTS S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/maxfield-john-o-pitts-s-1) (registry code 7220788) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 1JM
- Airframe hours: 136
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ed Fleet
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 31, 1987, 12 hours before
- Airport: 8K4, Meade Muni, runway 35, 3,400 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 306 total, 64 in this make and model, 268 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 170° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F

## 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 19870816045819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870816045819A), Aug 16, 1987: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Meade, KS, Substantial damage. Engine threw a rod shortly after departing the airport. Crash landed on the runway shoulder on the 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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