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NTSB Report
October 17, 1990 · Pitts Special S-1 · N1235
Ocala, FL
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 17, 1990
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Ocala, FL
Aircraft
Pitts Special S-1
Tail Number
N1235
Operator
Thorp Patricia J
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL91FA005
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS FOR AN UPCOMING COMPETITION. THE PILOT'S ROUTINE INCLUDED A SPIN MANEUVER WHICH REQUIRED TWO TURNS. ACCORDING TO A FRIEND, THE PILOT HAD EXPERIENCED SOME DIFFICULTY WITH SPIN ENTRY. THIS SPIN ENTRY WAS SHARPER AND THE NOSE WAS TUCKED APPROXIMATE 60 DEGREES INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 45 DEGREES OF NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 8 TURNS THE WITNESS REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE ADJACENT TO THE SOD RUNWAY. THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE EXAMINATIONS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE.
NTSB Probable Cause
THE PILOT EXPERIENCCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING A SPIN MANEUVER AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS FOR AN UPCOMING COMPETITION. THE PILOT'S ROUTINE INCLUDED A SPIN MANEUVER WHICH REQUIRED TWO TURNS. ACCORDING TO A FRIEND, THE PILOT HAD EXPERIENCED SOME DIFFICULTY WITH SPIN ENTRY. THIS SPIN ENTRY WAS SHARPER AND THE NOSE WAS TUCKED APPROXIMATE 60 DEGREES INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 45 DEGREES OF NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 8 TURNS THE WITNESS REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE ADJACENT TO THE SOD RUNWAY. THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE EXAMINATIONS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPitts Special S-1
Tail NumberN1235
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorThorp Patricia J
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A2B · Reciprocating · 200
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 41 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind90° @ 3 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Observation Time21:50
Weather SourceWFAC