# NTSB CEN09CA287: Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, N6027V, Muskogee, OK, May 9, 2009

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: May 9, 2009, 18:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Muskogee, OK
- Coordinates: 36.558612, -96.190551 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.5586&lon=-96.1906&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 28, 2009
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Central Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 73811
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA287
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73811/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA287

## Probable cause

Inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor, resulting in a delayed stall recovery attempt.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535): Personnel issues › Psychological · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 200 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021535/cases.md)
- [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=7220450), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and his private pilot student were practicing stalls. They were initiating the stalls about 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL) and recovering by 1,500 feet AGL. During the third stall, the student pilot initiated recovery and the airplane was descending straight ahead at about 1,500 feet AGL. The CFI took control of the airplane between 800 and 1,000 feet AGL and determined the airplane was in a straight ahead stall. The CFI was unable to recover the airplane to normal flight and it impacted trees in a forested area. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot was seriously injured.

## Factual narrative

The certified flight instructor (CFI) and his private pilot student were practicing stalls. They were initiating the stalls about 3,000 feet above ground level (AGL) and recovering by 1,500 feet AGL. During the third stall, the student pilot initiated recovery and the airplane was descending straight ahead at about 1,500 feet AGL. The CFI took control of the airplane between 800 and 1,000 feet AGL and determined the airplane was in a straight ahead stall. The CFI was unable to recover the airplane to normal flight and it impacted trees in a forested area. The airplane was substantially damaged and the student pilot was seriously injured.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6027V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6027V-2015-12-15), registration cancelled 2015-12-15, S/N 5117, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS AEROBATICS S-2B
- Registry model: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-aerobatics-s-2b) (registry code 7220450) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5117
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540 SER 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Schledorn Mark D
- Registered owner: Schledorn Mark D
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Departed: MKO, Musckogee, OK
- Destination: MKO, Musckogee, OK
- Flight plan: Unknown
- Airport: MKO, Davis Field Airport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 52; injuries: minor; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2008; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,560 total, 520 in this make and model, 6,250 as pilot in command, 160 in the last 90 days, 56 in the last 30 days
- Student pilot; age 55; injuries: serious; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 12, 2008; seat: front; flight hours: 1,246 total, 1 in this make and model, 1,209 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 75 °F

## Other investigations on N6027V (1)

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.

- [NTSB LAX98LA150](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA150), Apr 23, 1998: Pitts S-2B (N6027V), Greenfield, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A related factor was the proximity of high brush located on both sides of the runway.

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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