# NTSB OAK79FVM18: Pitts S2A, N8072, Moss Landing, CA, April 20, 1979

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Closed
- Date: April 20, 1979
- Place: Moss Landing, CA · MOSS LANDING, CA
- Location: 36.8054° N, 121.7866° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Moss Landing, CA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8054&lon=-121.7866&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report June 27, 1979
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 136038
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=OAK79FVM18
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK79FVM18

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-0780  79/4/20    MOSS LANDING,CA     PITTS S2A           CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             COMMERCIAL, AGE 26, 2912
        TIME - 1010                    N8072               PX-  0  0  0  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 400 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-DESTROYED    OT-  0  0  0                            INSTRUMENT RATED.
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          WATSONVILLE,CA              LOCAL
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           STALL: SPIN                                              IN FLIGHT: ACROBATICS
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - INADEQUATE PREFLIGHT PREPARATION AND/OR PLANNING
        REMARKS- PILOT COULD NOT RECOVER FROM INTENTIONAL INVERTED FLAT SPIN.ACFT NOT SPIN CHUTE EQUIPPED.
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: N8072 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S2A
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed

## 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 19790420010489A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19790420010489A), Apr 20, 1979: Ayres S2*, Moss Landing, CA, Destroyed. Pilot was practicing intentional inverted spins. Aircraft failed to recover. Pilot parachuted safely.

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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