# NTSB ATL93LA042: Pitts S2B, N92AP, Tuscaloosa, AL, December 26, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: December 26, 1992, 11:50 local (17:50 UTC)
- Place: Tuscaloosa, AL
- Coordinates: 33.170803, -87.61985 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1708&lon=-87.6198&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8715
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL93LA042
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8715/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL93LA042

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT, DURING THE TAKE OFF ROLL. A FACTOR WAS THE WIND GUST.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT DURING THE TAKEOFF ROLL, A GUST OF WIND FROM THE LEFT CAUSED THE AIRCRAFT TO VEER OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE RIGHT. THE AIRCRAFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED WHEN IT STRUCK A DITCH WHICH LIES ALONG THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N92AP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92AP-2006-06-13), registration cancelled 2006-06-13, S/N 5240, built 1992 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S2B
- Registry model: [Aviat PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210308) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5240
- Airframe hours: 90
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540-D45A 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Waldrop, Homer V., doing business as Tar Inc.
- Registered owner: Waldrop, Homer V.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 1992, 3 hours before
- Departed: TCL
- Destination: TCL
- Airport: TCL, Tuscaloosa Municipal, runway 11, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 63; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 814 total, 36 in this make and model, 664 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 19 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 46 °F, dew point 30 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: TCL, 1 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 19921226051659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19921226051659A), Dec 26, 1992: Child S2BPITTS, Tuscaloosa, AL, Substantial damage. Lost control on takeoff. Ran off runway into a ditch. Blamed a crosswind gust.

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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