# NTSB SEA83FA045: Cromwell/Pitts S-1S, N56T, Athol, ID, January 24, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: January 23, 1983, 16:25 local (Jan 24, 1983, 00:25 UTC)
- Place: Athol, ID
- Coordinates: 47.960857, -116.68087 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9609&lon=-116.6809&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA83FA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA83FA045

## Analysis

THE PLT TOOKOFF WITH AN ESTIMATED 7 GAL OF FUEL ON BOARD. WHILE PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVER, HE ENTERED A VERTICAL, CLIMBING, POWER-ON MANEUVER. WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE ACFT CLIMBED TO ZERO AIRSPEED AT ABOUT 2500 FT AGL. REPORTEDLY, THE ACFT THEN SLID BACKWARD AND ENTERED AN INVERTED FLAT SPIN. POWER REMAINED ON FOR ABOUT HALF OF THE DESCENT. WHEN THE POWER WAS REDUCED, THE ACFT ENTERED AN UPRIGHT SPIN AND CONTINUED TO DESCEND IN THIS MODE UNTIL GROUND IMPACT. INTERVIEWS WITH OTHER PLTS, FAMILIAR WITH THE FLT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PITTS, REVEALED THAT AT A LOW STATE OF FUEL, THE CENTER-OF-GRAVITY IS IN THE AFT RANGE. THEY REPORTED A POWER REDUCTION IS NECESSARY TO RECOVER FROM AN INVERTED SPIN. THEY ALSO STATED THAT INTENTIONAL SPINS WERE NOT A NORMAL PART OF THIS PLT'S AEROBATIC ROUTINE. NO MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT OR PLT IMPAIRMENT WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION.

## 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 (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - inadvertent, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall/spin - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - emergency procedure - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - throttle/power control - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56T](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56T-2012-11-13), registration cancelled 2012-11-13, S/N 532-42-45391, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CROMWELL/PITTS S-1S
- Registry model: [Cromwell PITTS S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/cromwell-pitts-s-1s) (registry code 7220650) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 532-42-45391
- Airframe hours: 160
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Norton Aero Limited
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 18, 1982, 3 hours before
- Airport: S62, Henley Aerodrome

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 32; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 1,000 total, 20 in this make and model, 950 as pilot in command, 35 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 50 °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 19830123001549A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830123001549A), Jan 23, 1983: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Athol, ID, Destroyed. Entered a flat, inverted spin after a hammerhead stall. Waited too long in closing throttle to effect a recovery.

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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