# NTSB ATL02LA018: Pitts S-1S, N522H, Sanford, FL, December 19, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 19, 2001, 12:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Sanford, FL - Coordinates: 29.239837, -81.060165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.2398&lon=-81.0602&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 3, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Orlando FSDO - 15 - NTSB case key (mKey): 53935 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL02LA018 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/53935/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL02LA018 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing roll in a tailwind, which resulted in a nose-over on the runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - tailwind ## Analysis The pilot executed a downwind approach and touched down on runway 9 center. During landing roll at 10 miles per hour, a tailwind picked up the tail of the airplane. The airplane's propeller struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway. Examination of the airplane revealed the propeller and spinner were damaged, the top wing spar support members were bent, one outboard wing spar was broken, the top rudder bow was bent with wrinkling of the fuselage at the base of the fin, the leading edge of the top wing showed cracks on both sides of the fuel tank, and the engine mounts were displaced. ## Factual narrative On December 19, 2001, about 1230 eastern standard time, a Pitts S-1S, N522H, registered to a private owner, nosed over during landing roll at Orlando Sanford Airport in Sanford, Florida. The personal flight was conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane sustained substantial damage, and the airline transport pilot was not injured. The local flight departed Orlando Sanford Airport about 1150. The pilot executed a downwind approach and touched down on runway 9 center. The pilot stated, during landing roll at 10 miles per hour, a tailwind picked up the tail of the airplane. The airplane's propeller struck the ground, and the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway. A review of weather observation data for the airport indicated at 1253, winds were reported from 260 degrees magnetic at 10 knots. Initial examination of the airplane revealed the propeller and spinner were damaged, the top wing spar support members were bent, one outboard wing spar was broken, the top rudder bow was bent with wrinkling of the fuselage at the base of the fin, the leading edge of the top wing showed cracks on both sides of the fuel tank, and the engine mounts were displaced. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N522H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N522H-2005-07-08), registration cancelled 2005-07-08, S/N 093, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pitts S-1S - Registry model: [Heverling John Leo PITTS S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/heverling-john-leo-pitts-s-1s) (registry code 05605P1) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 093 - Airframe hours: 187 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360 H1B 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: John L. Heverling - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 30, 2001, 50 hours before - Departed: KSFB, Sanford, FL - Airport: KSFB, Orlando Sanford Airport, runway 9C, 3,578 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 7, 2001; seat: single; flight hours: 16,800 total, 205 in this make and model, 120 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: KSFB ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20011219038869A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20011219038869A), Dec 19, 2001: Aviat PITTSS1S, Orlando, FL, Substantial damage. (.4) On December 19, 2001, about 1230 eastern standard time, a pitts S-1S, N522H, registered to a private owner, nosed over during landing roll at Orlando… 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. --- 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.