# NTSB CEN13CA077: Christen Industries Pitts S-2S, N15PU, Grain Valley, MO, November 24, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 24, 2012, 12:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Grain Valley, MO - Coordinates: 39.014446, -94.214721 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0144&lon=-94.2147&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 31, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 85685 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN13CA077 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/85685/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85685 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN13CA077 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper landing flare, which led to a bounced landing and subsequent loss of control. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210005), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=2210005), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=2210005), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210005), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis As the pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he applied aft control stick to "pin the tail" on the runway. The airplane bounced off the runway surface, veered to the right, and the pilot attempted to abort the landing. During the aborted landing attempt, the left wing struck the terrain. Subsequently, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded back onto the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left lower wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane, and he applied aft control stick to "pin the tail" on the runway. The airplane bounced off the runway surface, veered to the right, and the pilot attempted to abort the landing. During the aborted landing, the left wing struck the terrain. Subsequently, the main landing gear collapsed, and the airplane skidded back onto the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left lower wing and fuselage. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N15PU](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N15PU), registered now, S/N 3015, built 1989 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES INC PITTS S-2S - Registry model: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2S](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-pitts-s-2s) (registry code 2210005) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-d4a5) (registry code 41799, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 3015 - Airframe hours: 639 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: On File - Registered owner: On File - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Condition, April 19, 2012 - Departed: 3GV, Grain Valley, MO - Destination: 3GV, Grain Valley, MO - Airport: 3GV, East Kansas City Airport, runway 09, 4,507 × 44 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 3, 2012; seat: single; flight hours: 1,483 total, 13 in this make and model, 1,341 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 20121124028069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20121124028069A), Nov 24, 2012: Christen Industries Inc PITTS S-2S, Grain Valley, MO, Substantial damage. After 30 min of flying in the practice area, the PIC returned for landing. At touchdown on rwy 9 with a right x/wind, he applied aft stick to "pin" the tail… ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=85685. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40382985&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.