# Incident 20250628008819I: Aerotek PITTS S-2A, Scottsdale, AZ, June 28, 2025

- Type: FAA incident report (Accident/Incident Data System), as reported
- Date: June 28, 2025, 15:39 local time
- Place: Scottsdale, AZ
- Airport: Scottsdale
- Damage: Minor damage
- Phase of flight: Cruise/Level Flight
- Operating rules: General operating rules (Part 91)
- Location: 33.5092° N, 111.8990° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Scottsdale, AZ, within about 8 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5092&lon=-111.8990&mi=10
- Aircraft: N8PB, registered now (https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8PB) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry model: Aerotek PITTS S-2A (registry code 0110201, https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: Lycoming I0360 series (registry code 41515, https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS S-2A
- Reported engine: LYCOMING I0360 SER
- People aboard: 1
- Fatal injuries: 0
- Other injuries: 0
- Pilot certificates: Commercial pilot, flight instructor
- Pilot flight hours: 15,306 total
- FAA source: FAA Aviation Safety Information Portal (https://asip.faa.gov/)
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/incident/20250628008819I

## Narrative

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

THE FLIGHT WAS A REPOSITIONING OPERATION TO DELIVER THE AIRCRAFT TO ITS NEW OWNER. THE AIRCRAFT INVOLVED WAS A PITTS S-2A EQUIPPED WITH A SLIDING CANOPY IN THE REAR COCKPIT.

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRCRAFT EXHIBITED REDUCED PERFORMANCE—LIKELY DUE TO HIGH DENSITY ALTITUDE AND ELEVATED TEMPERATURES. AFTER BECOMING AIRBORNE, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO LOSE BOTH ALTITUDE AND AIRSPEED. FULL POWER WAS APPLIED, AT WHICH POINT THE PILOT DETECTED THE SMELL OF SMOKE AND OBSERVED SMOKE EMANATING FROM THE ENGINE COWLING. AS THE SINK RATE INCREASED BEYOND THE GLIDE CAPABILITY, THE PILOT ELECTED TO PERFORM AN OFF-AIRPORT LANDING IN THE DESERT.

THE AIRCRAFT SUSTAINED MINOR DAMAGE, INCLUDING:

LEADING-EDGE DENTS,

PUNCTURES IN THE LOWER FABRIC COVERING,

SEPARATION OF BOTH WINGTIP LIGHTS.

AN INSPECTION OF THE AIRCRAFT WAS CONDUCTED POST-LANDING. OIL WAS FOUND DRIPPING FROM THE LOWER FUSELAGE AND ENGINE COWLING. ONLY TWO QUARTS OF OIL REMAINED IN THE ENGINE, WHICH HAS AN EIGHT-QUART CAPACITY.

ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL OBSERVATIONS INCLUDED:

A SLIGHTLY CONNECTED MANIFOLD PRESSURE LINE, WHICH DETACHED WHEN TOUCHED.

A SLIGHTLY LOOSE BUT SAFETIED TACHOMETER CABLE.

NEITHER COMPONENT WAS BELIEVED TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE OIL LOSS.

WITH THE MAGNETOS AND FUEL SHUT OFF, THE ENGINE WAS HAND-ROTATED THROUGH ITS COMPRESSION STROKES. COMPRESSION WAS FELT IN ONLY THREE OF THE FOUR CYLINDERS; ONE CYLINDER DID NOT DEVELOP COMPRESSION. WHILE THE EXACT SOURCE OF THE OIL LEAK WAS NOT DEFINITIVELY IDENTIFIED, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT A FAILURE IN THE NON-COMPRESSING CYLINDER LED TO OIL BEING EXPELLED THROUGH THE BREATHER SYSTEM. THE CYLINDER WAS NOT REMOVED FOR FURTHER INSPECTION, AND ITS FAILURE MODE REMAINS UNDETERMINED.

## Other reports on N8PB (2)

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.

- [Incident 20150503006159I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150503006159I), May 3, 2015: Aerotek PITTS S-2A (N8PB), Scottsdale, AZ, No damage. While taxiing out for take-off, a turnbuckle on the right rudder cable broke. This resulted in the loss of the right brake causing the aircraft to spin around.
- [Incident 19810621056919I](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19810621056919I), Jun 21, 1981: Ayres S2A (N8PB), Joshua Tree, CA, Minor damage. Landing gear collapsed on touchdown. Bungee cords and safety cable failed. Damage to propeller,belly structure,gear.

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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