# NTSB NYC87DGM03: Woody Pitts S1, N290RW, Irwin, PA, September 10, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: September 10, 1987, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Irwin, PA
- Coordinates: 40.319919, -79.690925 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3199&lon=-79.6909&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30437
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87DGM03
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30437/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87DGM03

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INABILITY TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT DURING INITIAL CLIMBOUT. INADVERTENT USE OF THE RUDDER CONTROLS WAS A FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - control interference - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT JUST AFTER TAKEOFF HIS LEFT FOOT BECAME ENTANGLED IN THE LEFT RUDDER CONTROLS AND THE RUDDER JAMMED. THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE ENTERED A LEFT BANK WHICH THE PILOT WAS NOT ABLE TO CORRECT; THE LEFT WING STRUCK TREES AND THE AIRPLANE FELL TO THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N290RW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N290RW-2013-06-13), registration cancelled 2013-06-13, S/N RW-2 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WOODY PITTS S1
- Registry model: [Woody Ronald J JR PITTS S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/woody-ronald-j-jr-pitts-s-1) (registry code 72207A9) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: RW-2
- Airframe hours: 4
- Engines: LYCOMING O-290-G 115 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Ronald J. Woody
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 1, 1987, 4 hours before
- Airport: Inter County, runway 27, 1,880 × 130 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 73; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,235 total, 5 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °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 19870910051669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870910051669A), Sep 10, 1987: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Irwin, PA, Substantial damage. Pilots foot became jammed in rudder petals on takeoff causing a left banked attitude and the left wing struck trees

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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