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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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July 29, 1985 · Aerotek Pitts S-2A · N56PS

Ramona, CA

Overview

Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 29, 1985
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Location
Ramona, CA
Aircraft
Aerotek Pitts S-2A
Tail Number
N56PS
Operator
William Travis
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85FUM01

ON JULY 28, 1985 AT APPROXIMATELY 1820 HOURS, A PITTS S-2A, N56PS, OWNED AND OPERATED BY WILLIAM L. TRAVIS, CRASHED ON A HILLSIDE ON THE 192 DEG RADIAL, 12.8 NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE JULIAN VOR. THE FLIGHT WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF AEROBATICS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM MONTGOMERY FIELD, SAN DIEGO, CA., ON JULY 28, 1985 AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 HOURS. ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT.

Full Narrative

ON JULY 28, 1985 AT APPROXIMATELY 1820 HOURS, A PITTS S-2A, N56PS, OWNED AND OPERATED BY WILLIAM L. TRAVIS, CRASHED ON A HILLSIDE ON THE 192 DEG RADIAL, 12.8 NAUTICAL MILES FROM THE JULIAN VOR. THE FLIGHT WAS FOR THE PURPOSE OF AEROBATICS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS DESTROYED AND THE TWO OCCUPANTS WERE FATALLY INJURED. THE FLIGHT ORIGINATED FROM MONTGOMERY FIELD, SAN DIEGO, CA., ON JULY 28, 1985 AT APPROXIMATELY 1800 HOURS. ON-SCENE INVESTIGATION DISCLOSED NO EVIDENCE OF A PRE-IMPACT MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF THE AIRCRAFT.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time18:20 PDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerotek Pitts S-2A
Tail NumberN56PS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorWilliam Travis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · I0360-AIA · Reciprocating · 200
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 fatalities)
Fatal2
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 49 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind270° @ 15 kt
Visibility20 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point55
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data