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NTSB Report
May 5, 1984 · Pitts Special S-1 · N31DF
La Marque, TX
Overview
Report Status
Preliminary report
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 5, 1984
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 fatality)
Location
La Marque, TX
Aircraft
Pitts Special S-1
Tail Number
N31DF
Operator
Michael L Frey Jr
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
FTW84FA220
THE PLT WAS SCHEDULED TO PERFORM AEROBATICS IN AN AIR SHOW. WHILE MANEUVERING AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL, THE ACFT ENTERED A NOSE HIGH, STEEP LEFT TURN, STALLED, THEN ENTERED A 2 TURN SPIN TO THE LEFT. THE PLT RECOVERED IN A NOSE LOW, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE, BUT THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES & THE GROUND. NO PRE-IMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUCTION WAS FOUND. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HAD STARTED WEARING SOFT CONTACT LENSES TO CORRECT HER VISION. NO CONTACT LENSES WERE FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE & NO LENSES WERE NOTED IN THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS INVESTIGATION. A PAIR OF EYE GLASSES WERE FOUND IN A BAG IN THE COCKPIT.
Full Narrative
THE PLT WAS SCHEDULED TO PERFORM AEROBATICS IN AN AIR SHOW. WHILE MANEUVERING AT ABOUT 300 FT AGL, THE ACFT ENTERED A NOSE HIGH, STEEP LEFT TURN, STALLED, THEN ENTERED A 2 TURN SPIN TO THE LEFT. THE PLT RECOVERED IN A NOSE LOW, WINGS LEVEL ATTITUDE, BUT THE ACFT IMPACTED TREES & THE GROUND. NO PRE-IMPACT PART FAILURE OR MALFUCTION WAS FOUND. AN INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE PLT HAD STARTED WEARING SOFT CONTACT LENSES TO CORRECT HER VISION. NO CONTACT LENSES WERE FOUND IN THE WRECKAGE & NO LENSES WERE NOTED IN THE MEDICAL EXAMINERS INVESTIGATION. A PAIR OF EYE GLASSES WERE FOUND IN A BAG IN THE COCKPIT.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:00 CDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftPitts Special S-1
Tail NumberN31DF
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageDestroyed
OperatorMichael L Frey Jr
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320-B2B · Reciprocating · 150
Seats1
People & Injuries
Injury Summary1 injury (1 fatality)
Fatal1
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 34 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind160° @ 11 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 1300 ft
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time20:00
Weather SourceWFAC