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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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May 24, 1986 · Pitts S-1 · N83JW

Atmore, AL

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 24, 1986
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Atmore, AL
Aircraft
Pitts S-1
Tail Number
N83JW
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
ATL86FKG09

THE ACFT CRASHED ALMOST VERTICALLY FROM APRX 250/300 FT AGL AFTER ROLLING INVERTED AT THE COMPLETION OF A DOUBLE SNAP ROLL TO THE RT. THE ACFT SLOWED DURING THE ROLLS AND APPEARED TO BE TOO SLOW TO CONTROL THE STOPPING OF THE ROLLS. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO ROLL ONTO ITS BACK AND NOSED DOWN TO DESCEND TO GROUND IMPACT. THE ENGINE WAS DEVELOPING FULL POWER THROUGHOUT THE MANEUVER, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES. THE ALT WAS TOO LOW FOR AN EFFECTIVE RECOVERY BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS OR DEFECTS OF A CONTRIBUTORY NATURE IN THE ACFT.

Full Narrative

THE ACFT CRASHED ALMOST VERTICALLY FROM APRX 250/300 FT AGL AFTER ROLLING INVERTED AT THE COMPLETION OF A DOUBLE SNAP ROLL TO THE RT. THE ACFT SLOWED DURING THE ROLLS AND APPEARED TO BE TOO SLOW TO CONTROL THE STOPPING OF THE ROLLS. THE ACFT CONTINUED TO ROLL ONTO ITS BACK AND NOSED DOWN TO DESCEND TO GROUND IMPACT. THE ENGINE WAS DEVELOPING FULL POWER THROUGHOUT THE MANEUVER, ACCORDING TO WITNESSES. THE ALT WAS TOO LOW FOR AN EFFECTIVE RECOVERY BEFORE GROUND IMPACT. INVESTIGATION REVEALED NO MALFUNCTIONS OR DEFECTS OF A CONTRIBUTORY NATURE IN THE ACFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:35 CDT
Nearest AirportATMORE (0nm N)
Runway0
Runway Length1900 ft
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPitts S-1
Tail NumberN83JW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-320-E1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 35 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility15 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter0
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data