Amateur-built PITTS MODEL 12 accident near Lagrange, Georgia, April 22, 2015
On April 22, 2015 at about 5:50 pm local time, a 2004 amateur-built PITTS MODEL 12, registered N488WT, was substantially damaged in an accident during initial climb near Lagrange, Georgia (Lagrange-Calloway airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A partial loss of engine power after takeoff for reasons that could not be determined because postaccident examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any anomalies that would have precluded normal operation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 22, 2015 · about 5:50 pm local time
- Place
- Lagrange, Georgia · Lagrange-Calloway · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PITTS MODEL 12, built 2004
- Registration
- N488WT · no longer on the register · serial 137
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
According to the private pilot, shortly after takeoff for a cross-country flight in the experimental, amateur-built airplane, the engine rpm "quickly dropped to idle." He verified that the electric fuel boost pump was on and switched to the auxiliary fuel tank, but the engine performance did not improve. The airplane was unable to reach the airport, so the pilot performed a forced landing in a field. During the landing, the airplane nosed down and then came to a stop, which resulted in structural damage to the airplane and serious injuries to the pilot. An examination of the fuel system revealed no evidence of fuel interruption, blockage, or contamination. Internal engine continuity was established, and the spark plug electrodes appeared normal. Continuity from the cockpit engine controls to the engine was confirmed. The throttle body, engine-driven fuel pump, and electric boost pump showed no evidence of a mechanical malfunction or failure. Although data from the electronic engine monitor confirmed that the engine rpm decreased to near idle and continued to decrease throughout the accident sequence, the reason for the partial loss of engine power could not be determined.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of engine power (partial) during initial climb defining event
- Off-field or emergency landing during emergency descent
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during landing (flare/touchdown)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 500 hours in all; 50 in this make and model; 20 in the last 90 days
- Last flight review: December 14, 2015
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 362 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, April 17, 2015
- Maximum gross weight: 2,250 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Vedeneyev M-14 (piston); 362 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LGC Lagrange GA at 5:50 pm
- Destination: LAL Lakeland FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 13, 5,599 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 79°F (26°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 29.98 inHg
- Observation at 5:55 pm from LGC, 1 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.