# NTSB CEN09CA421: Pitts S-2A, N18BT, Springfield, IL, July 8, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 7, 2009, 19:47 local (Jul 8, 2009, 00:47 UTC) - Place: Springfield, IL - Coordinates: 39.844165, -89.678054 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.8442&lon=-89.6781&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 30, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA-Springfield FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 74228 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA421 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74228/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74228 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA421 ## Probable cause The pilot's inability to maintain directional control while landing due to the unintentional obstruction of the rudder by the passenger. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Attain/maintain not possible (probable cause); cases with it: [Pitts S-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=7220401), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Flight control system: rudder control system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not specified; cases with it: [Pitts S-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md?model=7220401), [All aircraft, 93 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022720/cases.md) - [Personnel issues](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02050000): Personnel issues › Miscellaneous · Passenger (probable cause); cases with it: [Pitts S-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02050000/cases.md?model=7220401), [All aircraft, 29 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02050000/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Pitts S-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=7220401), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was landing the tail wheel equipped airplane when the accident happened. He stated that the airplane touched down on one main wheel first and the airplane shifted and rapidly turned right. He stated that the airplane's movement resulted in his passenger's body shifting to the left against the left rudder/brake pedal. The rear seat rudder pedals are located near the front seat occupant's hips. The pilot stated that he attempted to correct with left rudder, but was unable due to the obstruction of the rudder pedal by the front seat passenger's body. The airplane subsequently ground looped. The damage to the airplane included collapse of the main landing gear, damage to the left lower wing, and damage to the upper wing. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that he was landing the tail wheel airplane when the accident happened. He stated that the airplane touched down on one main wheel first and the airplane shifted and rapidly turned right. He stated that the airplane's movement resulted in his passenger's body shifting to the left against the left rudder/brake pedal. The rear seat rudder pedals are located near the front seat occupant's hips. The pilot stated that he attempted to correct with left rudder, but was unable due to the obstruction of the rudder pedal by the front seat passenger's body. The airplane subsequently ground looped. The damage to the airplane included collapse of the main landing gear, damage to the left lower wing, and damage to the upper wing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N18BT](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N18BT-2018-01-11), registration cancelled 2018-01-11, S/N 2221, built 1980 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS S-2A - Registry model: [Pitts S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-s-2a) (registry code 7220401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2221 - Airframe hours: 2590 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360 SER 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2009 - Departed: SPI, Springfield, IL - Destination: SPI, Springfield, IL - Airport: SPI, Abraham Lincoln Capital Airpor, runway 31, 7,400 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,500 total, 450 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.85 inHg - Observed at: SPI ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 5, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74228. 678 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 678 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40316635&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF 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.