# NTSB CEN09CA520: Grahn J/Grahn G Pitts S2S, N540S, Rifle, CO, August 13, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 13, 2009, 14:30 local (20:30 UTC) - Place: Rifle, CO - Coordinates: 39.526111, -107.726943 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5261&lon=-107.7269&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 19, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards District Office - NTSB case key (mKey): 74520 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN09CA520 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/74520/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74520 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA520 ## Probable cause The pilot's excessive landing speed and subsequent excessive brake application which resulted in a loss of control and impact with an airport sign. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Grahn J/Grahn G PITTS S2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=72216A3), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: surface speed/braking](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Grahn J/Grahn G PITTS S2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md?model=72216A3), [All aircraft, 238 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062045/cases.md) - [Landing gear system: brake](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Capability exceeded; cases with it: [Grahn J/Grahn G PITTS S2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md?model=72216A3), [All aircraft, 297 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01023242/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Grahn J/Grahn G PITTS S2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=72216A3), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/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: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Grahn J/Grahn G PITTS S2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=72216A3), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330); cases with it: [Grahn J/Grahn G PITTS S2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md?model=72216A3), [All aircraft, 994 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/330/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Grahn J/Grahn G PITTS S2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=72216A3), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Grahn J/Grahn G PITTS S2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=72216A3), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot had just completed practice for his air show performance and was landing on runway 26. The pilot stated that he landed fast and while braking to make an intersection, the brakes became hot and the right brake began to fade. The airplane began to track to the left and the pilot steered the airplane between two taxi lights. The airplane impacted a taxiway sign, breaking the right lower right inboard spar. The pilot did not see the sign prior to impact. An examination of the airplane, conducted by the FAA, revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Factual narrative According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot had just completed practice for his air show performance and was landing on runway 26. The pilot stated that he landed fast and while braking to make an intersection, the brakes became hot and the right brake began to fade. The airplane began to track to the left and the pilot steered the airplane between two taxi lights. The airplane impacted a taxiway sign, breaking the right lower right inboard spar. The pilot did not see the sign prior to impact. An examination of the airplane, conducted by the FAA, revealed no mechanical anomalies. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N540S](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N540S), registered now, S/N 009, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: GRAHN J/GRAHN G PITTS S2S - Registry model: [Grahn J/Grahn G PITTS S2S](https://openairdocs.org/model/grahn-j-grahn-g-pitts-s2s) (registry code 72216A3) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming IO-540-S1A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-io-540-s1a5) (registry code 41788, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 009 - Airframe hours: 1527 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-S1A5 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 15, 2009 - Departed: KRIL, Rifle, CO - Destination: KRIL, Rifle, CO - Airport: KRIL, Garfield County Regional Airpo, runway 26, 7,011 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 41; injuries: none; flight engineer, commercial, flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review February 20, 2009; seat: center; flight hours: 8,365 total, 708 in this make and model, 4,380 as pilot in command, 54 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 190° at 13 knots, gusting 20 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 37 °F - Altimeter: 30.17 inHg - Observed at: KEEO, 32 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 20090813014439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090813014439A), Aug 13, 2009: Grahnj PITTSS2S, Rifle, CO, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft was landing after practive performance of airshow (practice part of airshow waiver) the next day. Aircraft landed fast, pilot used heavy braking… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=74520. 153 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 153 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40317848&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.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.