# NTSB SEA86FA174: Weiss-Haynes Stits SA6B, N3HW, Big Creek, ID, July 20, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 1986, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Big Creek, ID
- Coordinates: 45.019195, -115.519546 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0192&lon=-115.5195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 40290
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA86FA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/40290/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA86FA174

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - weather condition - high density altitude (contributing factor)
  - preflight planning/preparation - not understood, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - stall/mush - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft weight and balance - exceeded, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - mountainous/hilly (contributing factor)
- Fire, other

## Analysis

N3HW, A STITS SA6B, WAS BEING FLOWN FROM AN AIRSTRIP WITH A DENSITY ALTITUDE OF ABOUT 7,800 FEET. THE PLT LOST CONTROL OF THE ACFT DURING INITIAL CLIMB AND THE ACFT DESCENDED INTO THE TREES, STRUCK THE GROUND, AND CAUGHT FIRE. THE PLT STATED THAT DURING CLIMBOUT IT FELT LIKE THE CONTROLS WEREN'T RESPONDING TO HIS INPUTS AND THAT THEY WERE SLUGGISH EVEN THOUGH, DURING THE RUNUP, THE CONTROLS HAD RESPONDED NORMALLY. THE PLT HAD ABOUT 350 HOURS OF TOTAL FLIGHT TIME. THE PLT HAD FLOWN INTO THIS AIRPORT BEFORE BUT NEVER IN THE STITS SA6B. THE ACFT WAS OVER THE MANUFACTURERS MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE GROSS WEIGHT WITH AN AFT CENTER OF GRAVITY (C.G.). THE KIT MANUFACTURER STATES THAT AN AFT C.G. WILL PRODUCE SLUGGISH CONTROL RESPONSES. TREES WERE PRESENT AT THE END OF THE AIRSTRIP AND A SLIGHT TAILWIND WAS PRESENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N3HW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: WEISS-HAYNES STITS SA6B
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 777
- Airframe hours: 110
- Engines: CONTINENTAL C-85-12 85 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Weiss, William O.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: U60, BIG CREEK, ID
- Airport: U60, Big Creek Airport, runway 3, 3,550 × 110 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, expired; seat: front; flight hours: 350 total, 80 in this make and model, 300 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 50 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 19860720034369A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860720034369A), Jul 20, 1986: Amtrsa STITSSA6B, Big Creek, ID, Destroyed, 1 fatal. The aircraft hit trees on takeoff. Density altitude high. Suspect CG aft of limit.

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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