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NTSB Report
August 16, 1991 · Harold J Eagen Pitts Special S-1C Pitts SPEC · N9HE
Monroe, GA
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
August 16, 1991
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Monroe, GA
Aircraft
Harold J Eagen Pitts Special S-1C Pitts SPEC
Tail Number
N9HE
Operator
Brooks James D
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
ATL91LA162
THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS FLYING THE NEWLY PURCHASED HOMBEBUILT AIRPLANE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY. THIS ENGINE ROUGHNESS COINCIDED WITH SWITCHING FUEL TANKS. HE LANDED AND HAD SOME FRIENDS CHECK THE AIRPLANE; IT WAS THEN ASSUMED THAT OLD FUEL STILL REMAINED IN THE UPPER FUEL TANK. AFTER A LOCAL 'TEST FLIGHT', HE DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE TRIP USING THE LOWER TANK ONLY. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS 'DETONATING'. HE WAS OBSERVED ON SHORT FINAL AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, THEN HE WAS OBSERVED EXECUTING A GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED INTO NEARBY TREES, CRASHED, AND BURNED. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED WATER AND CORROSION IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM. THE AIRPLANE, WHICH WAS ABOUT 10-YEARS-OLD, HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 46 HOURS. REPORTEDLY, IT WAS STORED FOR SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE.
NTSB Probable Cause
CONTAMINATION AND WATER EXISTING IN THE FUEL SYSTEM WHICH RESULTED IN ENGINE STOPPAGE AND THE PILOT'S CONTINUED FLIGHT WITH A KNOWN AIRCRAFT DEFICIENCY.
Full Narrative
THE PRIVATE PILOT WAS FLYING THE NEWLY PURCHASED HOMBEBUILT AIRPLANE WHEN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGHLY. THIS ENGINE ROUGHNESS COINCIDED WITH SWITCHING FUEL TANKS. HE LANDED AND HAD SOME FRIENDS CHECK THE AIRPLANE; IT WAS THEN ASSUMED THAT OLD FUEL STILL REMAINED IN THE UPPER FUEL TANK. AFTER A LOCAL 'TEST FLIGHT', HE DECIDED TO CONTINUE THE TRIP USING THE LOWER TANK ONLY. SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, HE REPORTED THAT THE ENGINE WAS 'DETONATING'. HE WAS OBSERVED ON SHORT FINAL AT A NEARBY AIRPORT, THEN HE WAS OBSERVED EXECUTING A GO-AROUND. THE AIRPLANE THEN DESCENDED INTO NEARBY TREES, CRASHED, AND BURNED. INSPECTION OF THE WRECKAGE REVEALED WATER AND CORROSION IN THE AIRCRAFT FUEL SYSTEM. THE AIRPLANE, WHICH WAS ABOUT 10-YEARS-OLD, HAD A TOTAL FLIGHT TIME OF 46 HOURS. REPORTEDLY, IT WAS STORED FOR SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR TO THE PURCHASE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:57 EDT
Nearest AirportWalton County (1nm N)
Runway3
Runway Length3300 ft
Runway Width60 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionGrd
Aircraft
AircraftHarold J Eagen Pitts Special S-1C Pitts SPEC
Tail NumberN9HE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorBrooks James D
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-D2C · Reciprocating · 160
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 42 · Third Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind110° @ 4 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point66 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time20:50
Weather SourceWFAC