# NTSB ATL82DA206: Pitts S2S, N31461, Somerville, TN, July 21, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: July 21, 1982, 12:40 local (17:40 UTC)
- Place: Somerville, TN
- Location: 35.2322° N, 89.3756° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Somerville, TN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.2322&lon=-89.3756&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report July 21, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 72646
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL82DA206
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72646/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL82DA206

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - inadequate (contributing factor)
  - unsafe/hazardous condition warning - inadequate, airport personnel (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TOUCHDOWN DURING A FORMATION LANDING, THE WINGMAN'S AIRCRAFT STRUCK AN ENGINE STAND THAT HAD BEEN PLACED OVER A HOLE IN THE RUNWAY. THE HOLE WAS LOCATED ABOUT 900 FT FROM THE APPROACH END AND WAS ABOUT 2 FT LONG, 1 FT WIDE, AND 1 FT DEEP. IT WAS MADE WHEN THE NOSEWHEEL OF A SABRELINER HAD BROKEN THROUGH THE ASPHALT ON THE PREVIOUS DAY. FLIGHT SERVICE WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE RUNWAY WAS CLOSED AND A NOTAM WAS ISSUED, BUT THE PILOT STATED THAT THE FSS HAD NOT RECEIVED IT UNTIL AFTER THE OCCURRENCE. THE MEMPHIS FAA AIRPORTS DISTRICT OFFICE HAD INSTRUCTED THAT THE AIRPORT BE MARKED CLOSED WITH AN "X" ACROSS THE ENDS OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO CLOSED MARKINGS PLACED ON THE RUNWAYS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N31461](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N31461), registered now, S/N 1006, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S2S
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S2S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s2s) (registry code 0110202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1006
- Airframe hours: 208
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-A4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Howard M. Mullins
- Registered owner: Howard M. Mullins
- Departed: ARLINGTON, TN
- Destination: SAF, SANTA FE, NM
- Airport: Fayette County, runway 18, 3,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 6,982 total, 310 in this make and model, 100 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 198 °F

## 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 19820721035669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820721035669A), Jul 21, 1982: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS2S, Somerville, TN, Substantial damage. Aircraft hit engine stand that was placed over hole in runway, during landing roll.

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.

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