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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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February 3, 1986 · Pitts S-1 · N7JB

Julian, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
February 3, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Julian, CA
Aircraft
Pitts S-1
Tail Number
N7JB
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX86LA104

A PITTS S-1 NOSED OVER ON LANDING ROLL IN ROUGH TERRAIN AFTER AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE PLT INDICATED DUE TO FAULTY AND POOR WX BRIEFINGS THE FLIGHT WAS DETOURED FROM THE PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE ROUTES AND THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PLT HAD CONTACTED FSS ON TWO OCCASIONS REQUESTING WX FOR HIS DESTINATION. BOTH TIMES THE WX WAS GIVEN AS 3000 FT OVC AND 15 MI VISIBILITY. THE PLT'S ROUTE REQUIRED NAVIGATION THROUGH THE COASTAL RANGE MTS. THE PEAKS OF WHICH RISE BETWEEN 5000 AND 6000 FT MSL WITH PASSES AT 3000 FT MSL. THE FLD ELEV OF THE WX REPORTING STATION WAS 385 FEET. THE REPORTED WX CONDITIONS PLACED THE BASE OF THE CEILING AT APPROXIMATELY 100 TO 200 FT IN THE PASSES.

Full Narrative

A PITTS S-1 NOSED OVER ON LANDING ROLL IN ROUGH TERRAIN AFTER AN ENGINE FAILURE. THE PLT INDICATED DUE TO FAULTY AND POOR WX BRIEFINGS THE FLIGHT WAS DETOURED FROM THE PRIMARY AND ALTERNATE ROUTES AND THE AIRCRAFT RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE PLT HAD CONTACTED FSS ON TWO OCCASIONS REQUESTING WX FOR HIS DESTINATION. BOTH TIMES THE WX WAS GIVEN AS 3000 FT OVC AND 15 MI VISIBILITY. THE PLT'S ROUTE REQUIRED NAVIGATION THROUGH THE COASTAL RANGE MTS. THE PEAKS OF WHICH RISE BETWEEN 5000 AND 6000 FT MSL WITH PASSES AT 3000 FT MSL. THE FLD ELEV OF THE WX REPORTING STATION WAS 385 FEET. THE REPORTED WX CONDITIONS PLACED THE BASE OF THE CEILING AT APPROXIMATELY 100 TO 200 FT IN THE PASSES.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:40 PST
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPitts S-1
Tail NumberN7JB
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360 · Reciprocating · 200
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 31 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind280° @ 10 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingOvercast 3000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time00:14
Weather SourceWFAC

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Appendix: Source Data