# NTSB MKC87LA179: Jenkins Pitts S-1, N4365, Orleans, NE, September 26, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 26, 1987, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Orleans, NE
- Coordinates: 40.129833, -99.449447 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.1298&lon=-99.4494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 16, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC87LA179
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC87LA179

## 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 - normal
  - throttle/power lever,linkage - missing (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - disconnected (cause)
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT THE AIRCRAFT WAS CRUISING AT 2,000 FT (AGL) WHEN THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE TURNED TOWARD THE NEAREST SUITABLE EMERGENCY AIRFIELD BUT THE AIRCRAFT'S RATE OF DESCENT PRECLUDED THIS OPTION.  THE PILOT SELECTED A ROAD AS ALTERNATE, BUT VEHICULAR TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD FORCED HIM TO ATTEMPT AN EMERGENCY LANDING IN A CULTIVATED ALFALFA FIELD.  THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER AFTER IMPACT WITH THE TERRAIN.  AN EXAMINATION OF THE FUEL SYSTEM AND POWERPLANT BY TWO FAA INSPECTORS REVEALED THAT A CONNECTING BOLT WAS MISSING FROM THE CARBURETOR THROTTLE CONTROL CABLE. OPERATION OF THE CARBURETOR THROTTLE LEVER AND BUTTERFLY WERE BENCH-CHECKED SATISFACTORILY. THE MISSING BOLT COULD NOT BE FOUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4365](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4365), registered now, S/N PA-PA (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: JENKINS PITTS S-1
- Registry model: [Wells PITTS SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/wells-pitts-special) (registry code 72202B2) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: PA-PA
- Airframe hours: 80
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wells, David H.
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1987, 1 hours before
- Departed: HDE, HOLDREGE, NE

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 2,280 total, 25 in this make and model, 2,260 as pilot in command, 125 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: EAR, 44 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 19870926056489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870926056489A), Sep 26, 1987: Amtrpt PITTSSPECIAL, Orleans, NE, Substantial damage. Engine lost power on local flight. Nosed over, landing in a soft field. Found throttle lever bolt missing.

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.