# NTSB NYC93LA011: Anderson Pitts S-1, N31SP, Minersville, PA, October 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 8, 1992, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Minersville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.669517, -76.200866 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.6695&lon=-76.2009&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report April 30, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37254
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA011
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37254/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA011

## Probable cause

A LOSS OF CONTROL DUE TO A FOREIGN OBJECT JAMMING THE ELEVATOR FLIGHT CONTROLS.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - flt control syst,elevator control - foreign object (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control - jammed (cause)
  - aircraft control - not possible, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS TO PROVIDE AN OPINION OF THE AIRPLANE TO THE OWNER.  FAA RECORDS INDICATE THAT THE PILOT WAS CERTIFIED  FOR AEROBATIC MANEUVERS TO THE SURFACE.  THE PILOT HAD OVER 300 HOURS OF FLIGHT EXPERIENCE IN THE PITTS.  AFTER SEVERAL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS, THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO COUNTER A NOSE-UP ATTITUDE AND THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND ENTERED A SPIN.  HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE SPIN ROTATION, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE AIRPLANE PITCH PRIOR TO IMPACTING THE GROUND.  A C-CLAMP WAS FOUND IN THE AFT FUSELAGE, NEAR THE ELEVATOR CONTROLS.  THE CLAMP WAS BENT, GOUGED, AND HAD MARKS WHERE THE PAINT HAD BEEN REMOVED.  AN ELEVATOR CONTROL ROD WAS FRACTURED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31SP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31SP-2013-08-08), registration cancelled 2013-08-08, S/N AL-2, built 1970 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Anderson Aircraft Corp. PITTS S-1
- Registry model: [Anderson PITTS S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/anderson-pitts-s-1) (registry code 72201BA) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-360-A1D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-360-a1d) (registry code 41504, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: AL-2
- Airframe hours: 916
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Bardic Aviation Inc
- Registered owner: Bardic Aviation Inc
- Last inspection: Continuous airworthiness, July 10, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: ZER, POTTSVILLE, PA
- Destination: ZER

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,570 total, 350 in this make and model, 1,570 as pilot in command, 52 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 64 °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 19921008041379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921008041379A), Oct 8, 1992: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Pottsville, PA, Destroyed. Entered inadvertent flat spin during acrobatic maneuvers. Continued to flat upright ground impact.

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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