# NTSB investigations: Aerotek PITTS S-2A NTSB aviation accident and incident investigations since 1962: the probable cause, findings, aircraft, crew, weather and docket of each, linked to the FAA registry and the FAA’s own reports. ## Latest cases - [NTSB CEN25LA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA287.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · New Holstein, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Jul 26, 2025 · N83PS · Substantial damage > The pilot’s loss of direction control during landing due to an unapproved tailwheel assembly and tail spring that resulted in a tailwheel shimmy and a subsequent ground loop. - [NTSB CEN25LA024](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA024.md): Pitts S-2A · Stoughton, WI · Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report · Oct 19, 2024 · N11JC · Substantial damage > The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. - [NTSB CEN17FA197](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN17FA197.md): Aerotek Pitts S 2A · Sheboygan Falls, WI · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · May 26, 2017 · N67PN · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain airplane control following a partial loss of engine power during a low-level aerobatic maneuver; the reason for the loss of engine power could not be determined during postaccident examination of the engine. Contributing to the… - [NTSB GAA17CA181](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA181.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · West Palm Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report · Mar 8, 2017 · N1230S · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions. - [NTSB DEN08LA124](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08LA124.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · Cleveland, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 19, 2008 · N80053 · Destroyed > the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during his attempted performance of aerobatic maneuvers shortly after takeoff. - [NTSB LAX05CA153](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA153.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · Tracy, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report · May 1, 2005 · N5300V · Substantial damage > the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop and nose over. - [NTSB IAD01LA092](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD01LA092.md): Aerotek Pitts S2 · Xenia, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 5, 2001 · N8065 · Substantial damage > The airplane's excessive airspeed during the approach, which resulted in the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. - [NTSB NYC00LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA145.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · Hammonton, NJ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · May 26, 2000 · N16FJ · Substantial damage > The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition. - [NTSB FTW97LA353](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW97LA353.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · San Marcos, TX · Accident · 1 fatal · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 20, 1997 · N73EW · Destroyed > The pilot's loss of control while performing aerobatics resulting in an inadvertent stall/spin. A factor was the lack of altitude available for recovery. - [NTSB MIA96LA132](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA132.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · Reidsville, NC · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Apr 27, 1996 · N8040 · Destroyed > the pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane while performing an acrobatic maneuver. - [NTSB CHI95LA318](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95LA318.md): Maule M-5 · Belvidere, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 10, 1995 · N5669P · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > inadequate visual lookout by the pilots of both airplanes, which resulted in failure of each pilot to see-and-avoid the other airplane. - [NTSB FTW93IA141](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93IA141.md): Commander 114B · Oklahoma City, OK · Incident · No injuries · Incident investigation · Final report · Apr 28, 1993 · N194A · 2 aircraft · Minor damage > The pilot of the pitts, N51ST, misunderstanding of the tower's instructions and clearance, and his failure to see and avoid the Commander 114B, N194A. - [NTSB LAX91FA098](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91FA098.md): Bell 206B · Santa Paula, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Feb 13, 1991 · N2282T · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > Inadequate visual lookout by the Bell 206B pilot, which resulted in his failure to see-and-avoid the pitts S-2A. A factor related to the accident was: the S-2A pilot's restricted visibility from the tailwheel equipped airplane, once it was in position on the… - [NTSB LAX90FA219](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90FA219.md): Aerotek Pitts S2A · Thermal, CA · Accident · 1 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Jun 11, 1990 · N29MC · Destroyed > The pilot's inadequate handling of the airplane during an aerobatic maneuver. - [NTSB FTW88DPJ04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW88DPJ04.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · Elk City, OK · Accident · 1 fatal · Final report · Apr 10, 1988 · N8076 · Destroyed > The aircraft was observed doing aerobatics. A stall/spin was initiated from a climbing vertical attitude. Corrective action was not accomplished by the pilot and the aircraft was observed to spin to ground impact. No aircraft malfunctions were found. - [NTSB SEA88LA027](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA88LA027.md): Cessna 172M · Tacoma, WA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 27, 1987 · N9134H · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > The Cessna was at the runup area for runway 35 preparing to do his runup. Three pitts aircraft were taxiing abreast of each other, when one of the pitts's propeller struck the right wingtip of the Cessna causing substantial damage to the Cessna and minor… - [NTSB ATL88LA026](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA026.md): Pitts S2A · Ramseur, NC · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Oct 24, 1987 · N44LH · Substantial damage > The pilot lost directional control while making a normal landing. The pilot did not report a mechanical problem. The ground loop cause substantial damage to the aircraft's undercarriage. - [NTSB MIA86LA203](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA86LA203.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · Pompano Beach, FL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jul 10, 1986 · N31496 · Substantial damage > The student plt lost control of the acft as power was applied to takeoff. The instructor plt then took control of the acft as it left the rwy, after which the left gear became stuck in sand. The acft nosed over and came to rest inverted. - [NTSB CHI86LA237](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI86LA237.md): Pitts S2A · Peru, IL · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 27, 1986 · N70JJ · Substantial damage > Pilot elected to land on runway 18 because the windsock was indicating wind to be fromthe south. Upon touchdown in the first third of the runway the aircraft skipped slightly. Pilot chose to try to stop rather than attempt a go-around and applied heavy… - [NTSB LAX86LA034](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA034.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · Chandler, AZ · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Nov 6, 1985 · N42XX · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage > During a dual instructional flight the CFI stated that he was looking for traffic while monitoring his student's performance. The CFI failed to observe that an acft was ahead of him in the traffic pattern. That acft was at a lower altitude & was on short… - [NTSB LAX85LA342](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA342.md): Pitts S-2A · Van Nuys, CA · Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Aug 3, 1985 · N88M · Substantial damage > After practicing acrobatics the plt returned to the arpt for the purpose of practicing landings. He made the first one successfully, but flared out high on the second landing. The acft bounced 'hard' on the rwy twice, & the plt elected to go around. After… - [NTSB LAX85FUM01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FUM01.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · Ramona, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Final report · Jul 29, 1985 · N56PS · Destroyed > On July 28, 1985 at approximately 1820 hours, a pitts S-2A, N56PS, owned and operated by william l. travis, crashed on a hillside on the 192 deg radial, 12.8 nautical miles from the julian VOR. The flight was for the purpose of aerobatics. The aircraft was… - [NTSB CHI84LA385](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI84LA385.md): Pitts S-2A · Oak Harbor, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Sep 8, 1984 · N899 · Destroyed > Witness stated plt was performing aerobatic maneuvers. At the top of a loop (aprx 3000 ft AGL) the acft remained inverted, pwr was reduced and an inverted spin was entered. The acft remained in the inverted spin to water impact. The plt does not recall the… - [NTSB LAX84LA331](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA331.md): Pitts S2A · Redlands, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report · Jun 3, 1984 · N6JP · 2 aircraft · Destroyed > The acft were to perform & the two plts agreed to a staggered takeoff with the 2nd plt counting to 5 prior to commencinghis takeoff. They positioned themselves abreast of each other on the rwy. The plt of N65P commenced her takeoff from the right side of the… - [NTSB MIA83FA231](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA83FA231.md): Pitts S-2A · Green Cove Spr., FL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Sep 15, 1983 · N80041 · Substantial damage > The acft collided with the ground and was destroyed during a pleasure flt. Examination of the wreckage and the accident site revealed evidence to suggest that the acft collided with the ground while in a steep left bank, nose low attitude and a high rate of… - [NTSB CHI83FA387](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA387.md): Aerotek Pitts S-2A · Waukegan, IL · Accident · 2 fatal · Field investigation · Final report · Aug 20, 1983 · N80016 · Destroyed > While on a local flt, the acft crashed in lake Michigan about 1/2 mi from the shoreline. According to witnesses, it was flying over the water at about 100 ft, then pulled almost straight up to about 300 ft above the water, nosed over & went almost straight… - [NTSB NYC82FNC07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC82FNC07.md): Aerotek-Pitts S-2A · Warren, VT · Accident · No injuries · Final report · Apr 23, 1982 · N388N · Substantial damage > The pilot reported that before landing, he noticed heavy wind shear while on downwind and base. Reportedly, he encountered a severe sink after turning from base to final approach. He added full power, but was unable to stop the descent before contacting the… - [NTSB FTW81FRD04](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW81FRD04.md): Pitts S-2A · New Orleans, LA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Nov 4, 1980 · N333BD · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage - [NTSB LAX80FUG46](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX80FUG46.md): Pitts S2A · Redlands, CA · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Jul 1, 1980 · N21CM · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage - [NTSB ATL80FKJ13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FKJ13.md): Pitts S-2S · Alabaster, AL · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · Jun 21, 1980 · N555JG · Destroyed - [NTSB MIA80FA004](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA80FA004.md): Pitts S-2A · Bunnell, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Oct 20, 1979 · N17DG · Destroyed - [NTSB MKC79FCG60](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC79FCG60.md): Pitts S2A · Ottawa, KS · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jul 20, 1979 · N60LG · Substantial damage - [NTSB CHI79DEE55](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI79DEE55.md): Pitts S-2A · Rockford, IL · Accident · Minor injuries · Closed · May 12, 1979 · N7UD · Destroyed - [NTSB SEA79FYA07](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA79FYA07.md): Pitts S-2A · Montpelier, ID · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Jan 17, 1979 · N79DG · Destroyed - [NTSB MIA78DLD74](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA78DLD74.md): Aerotec S-2A · Largo, FL · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Sep 10, 1978 · N13GT · Substantial damage - [NTSB NYC78FGM29](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FGM29.md): Pitts S2S · Latrobe, PA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · May 21, 1978 · N44LH · Substantial damage - [NTSB FTW77FRG56](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW77FRG56.md): Pitts S-2A · New Braunfels, TX · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jun 25, 1977 · N6PT · Substantial damage - [NTSB MIA77FKT28](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA77FKT28.md): Pitts S2A · Ft.Lauderdale, FL · Accident · 1 fatal · Closed · Mar 12, 1977 · N23WB · Destroyed - [NTSB LAX77FUM16](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX77FUM16.md): Pitts S-2A · Santee, CA · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Feb 19, 1977 · N80053 · Substantial damage - [NTSB CHI77FET03](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI77FET03.md): Pitts Spcl S-2A · Kendallville, IN · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Oct 30, 1976 · N3186S · Substantial damage - [NTSB CHI76FEG06](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI76FEG06.md): Pitts S2A · Harrison, OH · Accident · Serious injuries · Closed · Oct 15, 1975 · N80032 · Substantial damage - [NTSB LAX75AL054](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX75AL054.md): Pitts S-2A · Riverside, CA · Accident · 2 fatal · Closed · Apr 19, 1975 · N13AS · Destroyed - [NTSB MIA75DKJ24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75DKJ24.md): Pitts S-2A · Gurley, AL · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Sep 19, 1974 · N32Z · Substantial damage - [NTSB NYC74DNC45](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC74DNC45.md): Pitts S-2A · Jaffrey, NH · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Jun 8, 1974 · N388N · 2 aircraft · Substantial damage - [NTSB MIA73FKT11](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA73FKT11.md): Pitts Spcl S-2A · Miami, FL · Accident · No injuries · Closed · Aug 3, 1972 · N8028 · Substantial damage ## The whole list in SQL Runs in DuckDB 1.2 or later on the release's Parquet files over HTTPS: ```sql SELECT c."ntsbNumber", c."eventDate", c."eventType", c."eventCity", c."eventStateOrRegion", a.n_number, a."aircraftMake", a."aircraftModel", c."highestInjuryLevel", c."totalFatal", c."completionStatus", c.report_url FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_case_detail.parquet' c LEFT JOIN 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' a ON a.case_mkey = c."mKey" AND a.position = 1 WHERE c."mKey" IN (SELECT x.case_mkey FROM 'https://openairdocs.org/data/latest/ntsb_aircrafts.parquet' x WHERE x.aircraft_model_code IN ('0110201')) ORDER BY c."eventDate" DESC, c."ntsbNumber" DESC ``` This list as a web page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb?model=0110201 --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.