# NTSB SEA05LA099: Horvath Pitts S-1C, N81PU, Creswell, OR, May 14, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 14, 2005, 14:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Creswell, OR - Coordinates: 43.933055, -123.05194 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.9331&lon=-123.0519&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 61489 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA05LA099 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61489/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA05LA099 ## Probable cause Loss of engine power as a result of a carburetor float drop restriction during cruise flight. Tall grass in the landing area was a factor in the accident. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, cruise - normal - fuel system,carburetor float - restricted (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - grass (contributing factor) - Nose over, emergency landing ## Analysis The pilot reported that approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, while in straight and level flight at 4,000 feet MSL, the engine began to run rough and eventually lost power. After experiencing the loss of engine power, the pilot initiated a landing to a nearby open field. During the landing roll out, the airplane encountered tall grass and nosed over resulting in substantial damage. The pilot reported that post accident examination of the airplane's engine revealed that the brass carburetor float travel (total drop travel) was approximately 3/16 of an inch, 5/16 of an inch less than specified for normal operations. The carburetor float level is a means of regulating the amount of total fuel delivered to the engine via the metering jet. ## Factual narrative On May 14, 2005, about 1445 Pacific daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Horvath Pitts S-1C, N81PU, sustained substantial damage following an in-flight loss of engine power and subsequent off airport forced landing near Creswell, Oregon. The airplane is registered to the pilot and was being operated as a visual flight rules (VFR) local flight under the provisions of Title 14, CFR Part 91, when the accident occurred. The private pilot, the sole occupant of the airplane, was not injured. The flight originated from Creswell (77S) approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident. The pilot reported that approximately 15 minutes after takeoff, while in straight and level flight at 4,000 feet MSL, the engine began to run rough and eventually quit. After experiencing the loss of engine power, the pilot initiated a landing to a nearby open field. During the landing roll out, the airplane encountered tall grass and nosed over resulting in substantial damage. The airplane was issued an experimental amateur-built airworthiness certificate on April 19, 2005, and was on its sixth hour of phase one flight-testing (per FAA Order 8130.2F) when the accident occurred. The pilot reported that post accident examination of the airplane's engine revealed that the brass carburetor float travel (total drop travel) was approximately 3/16 of an inch, 5/16 of an inch less than specified for normal operations. The carburetor float level is a means of regulating the amount of total fuel delivered to the engine via the metering jet. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N81PU](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N81PU-2013-09-30), registration cancelled 2013-09-30, S/N 01, built 2004 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Horvath Pitts S-1C - Registry model: [Horvath Anthony P PITTS](https://openairdocs.org/model/horvath-anthony-p-pitts) (registry code 056171H) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 01 - Airframe hours: 6 - Engines: Lycoming O-235 108 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Anthony P. Horvath - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2005, 5 hours before - Departed: 77S, CRESWELL, OR - Airport: 77S, Hobby Field, runway 33, 3,101 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 98 total, 4 in this make and model, 49 as pilot in command, 5 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 29.96 inHg - Observed at: KEUG, 9 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 20050514007629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050514007629A), May 14, 2005: Amtr PITTSS1C, Creswell, OR, Substantial damage. (-23) Pursuant to conditions contained within FAA issued operating limitations, pilot was conducting test flights comprised of various acrobatic maneuvers. At… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.