# NTSB OAK72FVA71: Pitts S-1S, N98X, Merced, CA, May 10, 1972

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Closed
- Date: May 10, 1972
- Place: Merced, CA · MERCED, CA
- Location: 37.3114° N, 120.4704° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Merced, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3114&lon=-120.4704&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report September 18, 1972
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 165331
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK72FVA71
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72FVA71

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0152  72/5/10    MERCED,CALIF        PITTS S-1S          CR-  1  0  0  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 42, 3000
        TIME - 1720                    N98X                PX-  0  0  0  PRACTICE                  TOTAL HOURS, 100 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - MERCED
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          MERCED,CALIF                LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           AIRFRAME FAILURE: IN FLIGHT                              IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
           COLLISION WITH GROUND/WATER: UNCONTROLLED                IN FLIGHT: UNCONTROLLED DESCENT
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           AIRFRAME - WINGS: OTHER
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - MATERIAL FAILURE
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - SEPARATION IN FLIGHT
         FIRE AFTER IMPACT
        REMARKS- LWR R WING DISINTEGRATED DURG LOW LVL PRACT FOR AIR SHOW,CAUSE OF MATL FAILURE NOT DETERMINED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N98X](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N98X-1972-08-14), registration cancelled 1972-08-14, S/N 13-P (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1S
- Registry model: [Pitts Special S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 72202ZT) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Airport: Merced

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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