Christen PITTS S1-T N218MC

Summary

On 21 March 1993 at about 16:42 local time, a Christen PITTS S1-T registered N218MC, operated by Cutshaw, Michael H., was involved in an accident near Naples, Florida, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

21 March 1993 at 16:42

Classification

Accident

Location

Naples, Florida, United States

Nearest airport

Naples Municipal (APF)

Coordinates

Not recorded

Aircraft

Christen PITTS S1-T

Registration

N218MC

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Cutshaw, Michael H.

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA93LA088

1 person had minor injuries.

THE INSTALLATION OF AN IMPROPER DESIGNED INTAKE TUBE AND AIR FILTER BY THE NONMECHANIC RATED PILOT-IN-COMMAND, WHICH RESULTED IN MOISTURE BUILD UP AND COLLAPSE OF THE AIR FILTER, WHICH RESULTED IN BLOCKAGE OF AIR FLOW TO THE ENGINE AND LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO MAINTAIN AIRSPEED AND FLARE PROPERLY DURING A FORCED LANDING.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

THE PILOT, WHO DOES NOT HOLD AN AIRFRAME OR POWERPLANT MECHANIC'S LICENSE STATED HE INSTALLED A STRAIGHT AIR INTAKE TUBE ON HIS AIRCRAFT. THIS TUBE DID NOT HAVE ANY MEANS FOR ALTERNATE AIR OR FILTERING OF INCOMING AIR. HE FURTHER MODIFIED THE TUBE BY INSTALLING A SCREEN AND A PIECE OF AIR FILTERING MATERIAL IN THE TUBE. DURING THE FIRST TAKEOFF AFTER THE MODIFICATION THE AIRCRAFT CLIMBED TO 200 FEET, AT WHICH TIME THE MANIFOLD PRESSURE DROPPED AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. HE WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN ALTITUDE AND THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN HARD ON THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER INVERTED. POSTCRASH EXAMINATION AND TESTING OF THE INTAKE TUBE WAS PERFORMED BY AN FAA INSPECTOR. WHEN A VACUUM CLEANER WAS ATTACHED TO THE ENGINE SIDE OF THE INTAKE TUBE AND TURNED ON THE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE TUBE WAS NORMAL FOR SEVERAL MINUTES. AFTER THIS, MOISTURE BUILT UP ON THE AIR FILTERING MATERIAL AND THE FILTER COLLAPSED. THE VACUUM CLEANER THEN BEGAN TO STRAIN DUE TO LACK OF AIR FLOW.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.