# NTSB ATL98LA064: Dennis L. Long Pitts S-2A, N60DL, Daytona Beach, FL, April 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 18, 1998, 19:56 local (23:56 UTC) - Place: Daytona Beach, FL - Coordinates: 29.109792, -80.970252 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.1098&lon=-80.9703&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 15, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 3983 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL98LA064 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3983/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL98LA064 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during an attempted takeoff. A factor was the reported crosswind condition. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - qualification, pilot in command - inadequate certification/approval,airman, faa(organization) - On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - object - tree(s) ## Analysis During an attempted takeoff, the pilot reported experiencing a wind gust from the left and he lost directional control of the airplane. Witnesses observing the attempted takeoff reported that, the airplane rolled about 100 feet down the runway, then it suddenly veered left. The airplane went off the left side of the paved runway and collided with a stand of trees. The prevailing winds at the time of the accident were reported at 110 degrees at 10 knots. No mechanical problems, with the airplane, were reported by the pilot. ## Factual narrative On April 18, 1998, at 1956 eastern daylight time, a Dennis L. Long, Pitts S-2A, N60DL, collided with trees during an attempted takeoff from runway 23 at the Spruce Creek Airport in Daytona Beach, Florida. The personal flight operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. According to weather data from the nearest weather reporting facility, visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. According to the Federal Aviation Administration Safety Inspector, the airplane sustained substantial airframe damage. The Swiss pilot, with a Federal Aviation Administration commercial rating, and his Swiss passenger, were not injured. The accident occurred during the initial takeoff attempt from Daytona Beach, Florida. According to the pilot, during a takeoff from runway 23, a wind gust (crosswind from the left) suddenly hit the airplane, and he lost directional control. Witnesses observing the attempted takeoff reported that, the airplane rolled about 100 feet down the runway, then it suddenly veered left. The airplane went off the left side of the paved runway and collided with a stand of trees. A review of the pilot's certification records disclosed that he had been issued a pilot certificate by the Federal Aviation Administration, on March 24, 1995. The review also disclosed that the pilot did not present a current medical certificate nor did he acquire a medical certificate subsequent to being issued a pilot certificate. In accordance with Title 14 CFR Part 61.75, the pilot must posses a current medical certificate from Switzerland before a Federal Aviation Administration pilot certificate could be issued. The pilot reported that he had accumulated about 50 hours total flight time in the Pitts S-2A airplane. The prevailing winds at the time of the accident were reported at 110 degrees at 10 knots. No mechanical problems, with the airplane, were reported by the pilot. ## Aircraft - Registration: N60DL (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Dennis L. Long PITTS S-2A - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: DL5 - Airframe hours: 199 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Josef Arnet - Registered owner: Papa Echo Limited - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 44J - Airport: 44J, Spruce Creek, runway 23, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; seat: rear; flight hours: 870 total, 16 in this make and model, 24 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: DAB, 5 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 19980418007209A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980418007209A), Apr 18, 1998: Child S2APITTS, Daytona Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Veered off runway into trees during takeoff. Crosswind a factor.(.4) on April 18, 1998, at 1956 eastern daylight time, a dennis l. long, pitts S-2A, N60DL,… 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.