Pitts Special S-1 N1235
17 October 1990 · Ocala, Florida, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 17 October 1990 at about 22:00 local time, a Pitts Special S-1 registered N1235, operated by Thorp, Patricia J., was involved in an accident near Ocala, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:00
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Ocala, Florida, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Pitts Special S-1
- Registration
- N1235
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Thorp, Patricia J.
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL91FA005
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
THE PILOT EXPERIENCCED SPATIAL DISORIENTATION, LOST CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE DURING A SPIN MANEUVER AND COLLIDED WITH THE GROUND.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT WAS PRACTICING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS FOR AN UPCOMING COMPETITION. THE PILOT'S ROUTINE INCLUDED A SPIN MANEUVER WHICH REQUIRED TWO TURNS. ACCORDING TO A FRIEND, THE PILOT HAD EXPERIENCED SOME DIFFICULTY WITH SPIN ENTRY. THIS SPIN ENTRY WAS SHARPER AND THE NOSE WAS TUCKED APPROXIMATE 60 DEGREES INSTEAD OF THE NORMAL 45 DEGREES OF NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 8 TURNS THE WITNESS REALIZED THAT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE GROUND IN AN UPRIGHT ATTITUDE ADJACENT TO THE SOD RUNWAY. THE AIRFRAME AND ENGINE EXAMINATIONS FAILED TO DISCLOSE ANY SYSTEM MALFUNCTION OR COMPONENT FAILURE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Pitts Special S-1 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Aug 1991 | Pitts Special S-1 | Lincoln, Illinois, United States | Maxwell E. Shauck, JR. | Minor injuries | - |
| 5 May 1984 | Pitts Special S-1 | La Marque, Texas, United States | Michael L Frey JR | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 Jan 1990 | Lockheed L1329 | Miami, Florida, United States | Tokoph, David | Fatal | 1 |
| 12 Dec 1990 | Cessna 172G | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | Weeks, Milton D. | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Jan 1990 | Piper PA-30 | Tallahassee, Florida, United States | Calley, Nicholas O. | Serious injuries | - |
| 12 Dec 1990 | Piper PA-28-151 | Jupiter, Florida, United States | Zimmerman, Barry L. | No injuries | - |
| 20 Jan 1990 | Piper J-3 | Clewiston, Florida, United States | Nesbitt, James K. | Fatal | 2 |
| 15 Dec 1990 | Beechcraft F33A | Lakeland, Florida, United States | Globe Aero Ltd. | No injuries | - |