# NTSB SEA91FA203: Christen Industries Pitts S-2B, N77PW, Scappoose, OR, August 10, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 10, 1991, 16:50 local (23:50 UTC)
- Place: Scappoose, OR
- Coordinates: 45.800415, -122.970527 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.8004&lon=-122.9705&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed, report December 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41333
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA91FA203
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41333/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA91FA203

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S MISJUDGMENT OF ALTITUDE, WHILE PERFORMING AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER, AND HIS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN GROUND CLEARANCE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - initiated, pilot in command
  - altitude - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground
  - clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AEORBATIC MANEUVERS AT A LOW ALTITUDE.  WHILE MANEUVERING, THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A POWER DIVE AND THE PILOT DID NOT RECOVER BEFORE IT IMPACTED THE GROUND IN A STEEP NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N77PW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N77PW-1991-08-10), registration cancelled 1991-08-10, S/N 5181, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES PITTS S-2B
- Registry model: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5181
- Airframe hours: 159
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Edwin M. Stanley
- Registered owner: Edwin M. Stanley
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 18, 1991, 16 hours before
- Departed: PDX, PORTLAND, OR

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; toxicology performed; flight hours: 2,871 total, 131 in this make and model, 23 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 350° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 35 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 50 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDX, 12 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 19910810033019A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910810033019A), Aug 10, 1991: Child S2BPITTS, Scappoose, OR, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Failed to recover from a dive while performing low altitude acrobatics. Waiver had a 1000 foot acrobatic minimum.

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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