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NTSB Report
September 17, 1985 · Pitts S-2A · N13AS
Carlsbad, CA
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 17, 1985
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
Carlsbad, CA
Aircraft
Pitts S-2A
Tail Number
N13AS
Operator
Art Scholl Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
LAX85LA393
AFTER COMPLETING AN UPRIGHT SPIN OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN DURING THE FILMING OF A MOVIE VIEWED FROM THE SPINNING ACFT, THE PLT CLIMBED HIS ACFT BACK TO THE ENTRY ALT AND ENTERED A FLAT INVERTED SPIN. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO SPIN THROUGH ITS RECOVERY ALT AT WHICH THE TIME PLT RADIOED ' I HAVE A PROBLEM, I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM.' NEITHER HE PLT NOR THE ACFT WERE RECOVERED.
Full Narrative
AFTER COMPLETING AN UPRIGHT SPIN OVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN DURING THE FILMING OF A MOVIE VIEWED FROM THE SPINNING ACFT, THE PLT CLIMBED HIS ACFT BACK TO THE ENTRY ALT AND ENTERED A FLAT INVERTED SPIN. THE ACFT WAS OBSERVED TO SPIN THROUGH ITS RECOVERY ALT AT WHICH THE TIME PLT RADIOED ' I HAVE A PROBLEM, I HAVE A REAL PROBLEM.' NEITHER HE PLT NOR THE ACFT WERE RECOVERED.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time17:40 PDT
Nearest Airport5nm W
Runway0
Runway Length0
Runway Width0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPitts S-2A
Tail NumberN13AS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorArt Scholl Aviation
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-360-A1A · Reciprocating · 150
Seats2
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 53 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 5000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time00:40
Weather SourceWFAC