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NTSB Report
April 11, 1987 · Davis Pitts S-1S · N90DW
Coleman, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
April 11, 1987
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Coleman, TX
Aircraft
Davis Pitts S-1S
Tail Number
N90DW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW87DRG01
THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED SEVERAL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS FOR AN AIR SHOW AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DOING A SERIES OF FIVE SNAP ROLLS AT AN ALTITUDE OF 200-300 FEET AGL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT TO DROP DURING THE THIRD SNAP ROLL AND CONTINUE TO DROP DURING THE FOURTH AND FIFTH ROLL. AFTER COMPLETION OF THE FIFTH ROLL THE NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO BE ALMOST STRAIGHT DOWN. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO START TO RECOVER BUT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING THE PULL OUT.
Full Narrative
THE PILOT HAD COMPLETED SEVERAL AEROBATIC MANEUVERS FOR AN AIR SHOW AND WAS IN THE PROCESS OF DOING A SERIES OF FIVE SNAP ROLLS AT AN ALTITUDE OF 200-300 FEET AGL WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED. WITNESSES OBSERVED THE NOSE OF THE ACFT TO DROP DURING THE THIRD SNAP ROLL AND CONTINUE TO DROP DURING THE FOURTH AND FIFTH ROLL. AFTER COMPLETION OF THE FIFTH ROLL THE NOSE WAS OBSERVED TO BE ALMOST STRAIGHT DOWN. THE ACFT WAS THEN OBSERVED TO START TO RECOVER BUT COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND DURING THE PULL OUT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest AirportColeman Municipal (0nm N)
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireGrd
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftDavis Pitts S-1S
Tail NumberN90DW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT