# NTSB ATL84LA131: Pitts Special S2A, N83798, Apex, NC, March 10, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 10, 1984, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Apex, NC
- Coordinates: 35.720184, -78.839897 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7202&lon=-78.8399&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 6431
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL84LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/6431/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL84LA131

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,normal brake system - cracked (contributing factor)
  - flare - improper, dual student (cause)
  - remedial action - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - supervision - improper, pilot in command(cfi) (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - landing gear,normal brake system - lack of (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, dual student (cause)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - previous damage (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - building(nonresidential) (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE ACFT MADE A HARD LANDING AND DAMAGED A BRAKE. DURING THE SECOND LANDING THE BRAKES WERE FOUND TO BE MALFUNCTIONING AND AS THE RUDDER BECAME INEFFECTUAL THE ACFT LEFT THE RWY AND COLLIDED WITH A HANGER. THE OWNER OF THE ACFT WAS IMPROPERLY ACTING AS AN INSTRUCTOR TO A PRIVATE PLT. THE OWNER WAS NOT A CFI.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N83798](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N83798-2010-10-08), registration cancelled 2010-10-08, S/N 20935, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S2A (SPECIAL S2)
- Registry model: [Eberle John S PITTS SPECIAL S2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/eberle-john-s-pitts-special-s2a) (registry code 7221401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 20935
- Airframe hours: 474
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Vernon L. Cox
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 16, 1983
- Airport: N81, Cox Field

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 54; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,235 total, 405 in this make and model, 81 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Temperature: -0 °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 19840310008159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840310008159A), Mar 10, 1984: Child S2APITTS, Apex, NC, Substantial damage. Lost directional control on landing due to brake loss. Struck a hangar. Brake assembly broke off. Unauthorized dual

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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