# NTSB ATL92LA055: Pitts S-1, N517L, Reidsville, NC, March 1, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 1, 1992, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC)
- Place: Reidsville, NC
- Coordinates: 36.340312, -79.670951 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3403&lon=-79.6710&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 12, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8565
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL92LA055
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8565/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL92LA055

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE TAILWIND AND THE IMPROPER TOUCH DOWN POINT. FACTORS WERE THE TAILWIND AND DOWNDRAFT WHICH RESULTED FROM THE TALL OBSTACLES (TREES) AROUND THE RUNWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - downdraft (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s)
  - object - tree(s)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
- Main gear collapsed, landing - aborted
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT A DOWNWIND APPROACH WAS MADE TO THE AIRSTRIP .  TREES BOUNDED THE APPROACH THRESHOLD ON THREE SIDES.  ON SHORT FINAL THE WIND ACROSS THE TREES, A QUARTERING TAIL WIND, RESULTED IN A DOWNDRAFT.  THE AIRPLANE UNDERSHOT THE     RUNWAY & STRUCK ONE OF THE THRESHOLD LIGHTS, AS IT LANDED HARD.  A BALKED LANDING WAS EXECUTED. UNKNOWN TO THE PILOT,  THE COLLISION WITH THE THRESHOLD LIGHT HAD COLLAPSED THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR.  ON THE SUBSEQUENT LANDING THE AIRPLANE VEERED AS IT TOUCHED DOWN  WHICH RESULTED IN SUBSTANTAIL DAMAGE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N517L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N517L), registered now, S/N BP1, built 1969 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1
- Registry model: [Panzl PITTS SPECIAL S-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/panzl-pitts-special-s-1) (registry code 7220721) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: BP-2
- Airframe hours: 480
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2D 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Speer, James M. Jr.
- Registered owner: Speer, James M. Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 12, 1991, 22 hours before
- Departed: NONE, BOONVILLE, NC
- Airport: 6A5, Warf, runway 35, 2,500 × 150 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 781 total, 22 in this make and model, 747 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 23 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 20 nm away

## 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 19920301004559A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920301004559A), Mar 1, 1992: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Reidville, NC, Substantial damage. Gust caused aircraft to settle. Right gear struck REIL light. Made go around. Landed with right gear folded.

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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