# NTSB NYC86FHA03: Thomas Pitts S-1T, N83TJ, Avoca, PA, June 28, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1986, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC)
- Place: Avoca, PA
- Coordinates: 41.340454, -75.720672 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3405&lon=-75.7207&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC86FHA03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC86FHA03

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - aerobatics
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)

## Analysis

DURING A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AT THE WILKES-BARRE/SCRANTON AIR SHOW, THE ACFT HAD A TEMPORARY ENGINE FAILURE WHILE INVERTED 20 FEET ABOVE THE TERRAIN. THE ACFT IMPACTED ON THE RWY, SLID 500 FEET INVERTED, TURNED OVER AND STOPPED UPRIGHT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N83TJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: THOMAS PITTS S-1T
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: T-020TJ
- Airframe hours: 98
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Acro Specialities
- Registered owner: Jack L. Thomas
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 8, 1986, 30 hours before
- Airport: AVP, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, runway 22, 6,449 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 4,500 total, 2,500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft unknown
- Observed at: AVP

## 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 19860628028439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860628028439A), Jun 28, 1986: Child S1TPITTS, Wilkes Barre Sc, PA, Substantial damage. During the inverted ribbon cutting ceremony, the engine failed to respond. Elected to land inverted.

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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