# NTSB NYC95LA017: Pitts S-1C, N7037W, Galeville, NY, October 22, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 22, 1994, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Galeville, NY
- Coordinates: 41.599704, -74.160728 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5997&lon=-74.1607&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 23, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38892
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA017
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38892/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA017

## Probable cause

Inadequate maintenance inspection which resulted in disengagement of the rudder clevis bolt and the inflight loss of control during aerobatic manuevers.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, maneuvering
  - maintenance - inadequate, unknown (cause)
  - flt control syst,rudder control attach points - not secured (cause)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - bail-out/emergency ejection - intentional, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING ACROBATICS MANEUVERS.  HE ENTERED A LEFT SNAP ROLL AT 1800 FEET, AND DURING THE RECOVERY THE RIGHT RUDDER PEDAL DISCONNECTED FROM THE RUDDER CABLE.  THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A LEFT SPIN, FROM WHICH THE PILOT WAS UNABLE TO RECOVER.  HE ELECTED TO PARACHUTE FROM THE AIRPLANE, WHICH CONTINUED TO SPIN TO THE GROUND.  AN FAA INSPECTOR EXAMINED THE WRECKAGE AND FOUND THE CLEVIS PIN FOR THE RIGHT RUDDER WAS MISSING.

## Factual narrative

On Saturday, October 22, 1994, at 1600 eastern daylight time, a Pitts S-1C, N7037W, registered to and piloted by George J. Emer, was destroyed by impact with the terrain in Galeville, New York.  The pilot received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed.  The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot was performing acrobatic maneuvers, when he lost rudder control.  He was unable to recover from the maneuver, and he elected to parachute from the airplane.  The airplane continued out of control and impacted terrain.

In his report, the pilot stated:

I entered a left snap roll at approximately           1800' AGL.  On recovery (full right rudder) the           right rudder pedal disconnected from the rudder            cable.  The aircraft entered a left spin...and            did not respond to any control input.  I jumped           out of the aircraft at approximately 700' and           deployed my parachute.

Mr. Ray Darling, an Airworthiness Inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration, examined the wreckage.  In a telephone interview, Mr. Darling stated that he found "the clevis pin for the right rudder cable was missing."

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7037W](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7037W-1997-03-21), registration cancelled 1997-03-21, S/N 4100 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1C
- Registry model: [Emer George J PITTS SIC](https://openairdocs.org/model/emer-george-j-pitts-sic) (registry code 722111R) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 4100
- Airframe hours: 210
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: George J. Emer
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 3, 1994, 20 hours before
- Departed: MGJ, MONTGOMERY, NY

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 1,419 total, 210 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## 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 19941022035309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941022035309A), Oct 22, 1994: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, Gayesville, NY, Destroyed. Lost rudder pedal connection on snap roll. Entered spin. Bailed out. Landed safe. SIC spun in. Clevis pin missing.

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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