# NTSB NYC90DEG02: Trice Pitts Special S-1S, N40X, Hamilton, OH, August 18, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1990, 14:25 local (18:25 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, OH
- Coordinates: 39.390727, -84.559387 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3907&lon=-84.5594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 8, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36486
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90DEG02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36486/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90DEG02

## Probable cause

THE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER FOR UNDETERMINED REASONS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, maneuvering
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS (TAIL SLIDE) DURING AN AIR SHOW WHEN THE PROPELLER WAS OBSERVED TO HAVE STOPPED. THE AIRCRAFT WAS THEN OBSERVED IN A HIGH RATE OF DESCENT HEADING TOWARD AN OPEN FIELD BEFORE IT IMPACTED AN EMBANKMENT. THE AIRCRAFT APPEARED TO BE IN A SLIP ATTITUDE AT IMPACT. AN EXAMINATION AND TEST RUN OF THE ENGINE DID NOT REVEAL ANY PRE-IMPACT FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N40X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N40X-1991-06-29), registration cancelled 1991-06-29, S/N JT01 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: TRICE PITTS SPECIAL S-1S (PITTS SPEC)
- Registry model: [Trice PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/trice-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 7220617) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: JT-1
- Engines: LYCOMING AIO-360-A1B 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Wilburn C. Anderson
- Registered owner: Richard Thomas Deitz
- Last inspection: Annual, August 3, 1990, 981 hours before
- Departed: HAO, HAMILTON, OH

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,894 total, 612 in this make and model, 6,474 as pilot in command, 8 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 260° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 24,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAY, 32 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 19900818033889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900818033889A), Aug 18, 1990: Child S1SPITTS, Hamilton, OH, Substantial damage, 1 fatal. Engine stopped apparently due to low idle in tail slide maneuver. Undershot open field, hit embankment 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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