# NTSB NYC82DA075: Pitts Special S-1C, N1750, Latrobe, PA, April 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: April 21, 1982, 17:50 local (22:50 UTC)
- Place: Latrobe, PA
- Coordinates: 40.389465, -79.410774 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3895&lon=-79.4108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 71382
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC82DA075
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/71382/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82DA075

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - high wind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - abort - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - airspeed - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lift-off - premature, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - ground (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PILOT INITIATED A TAKEOFF IN WINDS THAT WERE GUSTING TO 19 KNOTS. AS HE RAISED THE TAIL DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, THE PLANE SWERVED RIGHT. THE PILOT STATED THAT HE OVERCORRECTED TO THE LEFT. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE PLANE DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRCRAFT SKIPPED SEVERAL TIMES AND BECAME AIRBORNE. HE HELD THE WINGS LEVEL IN A 3-POINT ATTITUDE TO CLEAR SOME TREES. AS HE PASSED OVER THE TREES, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO SETTLE. AT THIS POINT, HE CHOPPED THE POWER AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1750](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N1750-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N 1JJP, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S-1C
- Registry model: [Pitts Special SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special-special) (registry code 72202R5) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1JJP
- Airframe hours: 384
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G 140 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: James D. Oberholtzer
- Registered owner: James D. Oberholtzer
- Departed: LBE, LATROBE, PA
- Destination: ROSTRAVER, PA
- Airport: LBE, Westmoreland County, runway 21, 3,600 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 6,896 total, 8 in this make and model, 6,021 as pilot in command, 7 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 16 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 117 °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 19820421010539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820421010539A), Apr 21, 1982: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Latrobe, PA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on takeoff. Premature lift off to avoid trees, settled, aborted, and nosed over on 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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