# NTSB BFO89LA002: Pitts S-1S, N66RJ, Ridgeway, VA, October 16, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1988, 14:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Ridgeway, VA
- Coordinates: 36.570728, -79.850456 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5707&lon=-79.8505&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 11, 1989
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11479
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO89LA002
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11479/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO89LA002

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, taxi - from landing
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, taxi - from landing

## Analysis

THE PILOT LANDED TO THE SOUTH ON THE PRIVATE AIRSTRIP. IN AN ATTEMPT TO MAKE A LEFT 180 DEG TURN TO BACK TAXI ON THE RUNWAY AND AVOID ACFT PARKED ALONG THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT STEERED HIS AIRPLANE TO THE RIGHT. WHILE TURNING TO THE RIGHT, THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED INTO A DITCH AND NOSED OVER. THE RUNWAY NARROWS AT THE POINT WHERE THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED INTO THE DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N66RJ](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N66RJ-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 779X, built 1976 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-1S
- Registry model: [Jones PITTS S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/jones-pitts-s-1s) (registry code 7220619) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 779X
- Airframe hours: 698
- Engines: LYCOMING O-360-A4A 100 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Carroll Messer
- Registered owner: C. B. Messer III
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 11, 1988, 8 hours before
- Departed: 41A, MAYODAN, NC
- Airport: VA02, Pace Airport, runway 18, 3,000 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,219 total, 555 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 180° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °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 19881016068029A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19881016068029A), Oct 16, 1988: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Ridgeway, VA, Substantial damage. Ran into a ditch and nosed over turning around to taxi back at narrow end of runway. Had swung wide due parked plane

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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