# Accident 20050823022429A: Aviat PITTSS1S, Mercer, PA, August 23, 2005

- Type: FAA accident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: August 23, 2005
- Place: Mercer, PA
- Airport: Nelson'S Run Airport
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Phase of flight: To Init Climb(1st Pwr Reduct)
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 41.2158° N, 80.1894° W: From the FAA
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2158&lon=-80.1894&mi=10
- Aircraft: N184MH, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N184MH) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Hanek Michael J JR PITTS S1S (registry code 7221312, https://openairdocs.org/model/hanek-michael-j-jr-pitts-s1s) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming 0-320 series (registry code 41508, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AVIAT PITTSS1S
- Reported engine: LYC O320*
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Pilot flight hours: 1,500 total, 115 in this make and model, 1 in the last 90 days
- NTSB investigation: [NTSB NYC05CA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA136) (OpenAirDocs)
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050823022429A

## Narrative

As the FAA filed it, in capitals; the FAA replaces private details with ^PRIVACY DATA OMITTED^.

(-23) PILOT WAS ATTEMPTING TO TAKE OFF ON THE RUNWAY WITH A CROSSWIND FROM THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT STARTED TO FISHTAIL AND DRIFT TO THE LEFT TOWARDS THE ADJACENT CORNFIELD. THE PILOT ROTATED AND CLIMBED STEEPLY TO ABOUT 90 FEET AGL. THE AIRCRAFT ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND ENTERED A STEEP DESCENT. ON IMPACT IN THE CORNFIELD, THE RIGHT MAIN GEAR BROKE OFF, AND THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPED OVER ON ITS BACK. THE AIRCRAFT CAME TO A STOP APPROXIMATELY 800 FEET FROM THE START OF THE TAKEOFF ROLL AND APPROXIMATELY 150 FEET FROM THE RUNWAY EDGE IN THE CORNFIELD.

## The NTSB's investigation of this event (1)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB NYC05CA136](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA136), Aug 23, 2005: Hanek Pitts S1S (N184MH), Mercer, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in an on ground encounter with crops. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition, as reported by the…

From the FAA Accident/Incident Data System. Reports are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. For accidents, the NTSB's own investigation is the fuller record.

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