# NTSB CEN14CA533: Aviat Pitts S 2B, N9YH, Grants, NM, May 31, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 31, 2014, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Grants, NM - Coordinates: 35.167221, -107.901947 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.1672&lon=-107.9019&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 12, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - NTSB case key (mKey): 90479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN14CA533 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90479/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90479 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN14CA533 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain control of the airplane during landing in gusty wind conditions. ## 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: [Aviat PITTS S-2B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2210308), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Aviat PITTS S-2B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2210308), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Aviat PITTS S-2B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=2210308), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Aviat PITTS S-2B, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2210308), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was hired to reposition the airplane for the owner. According to the owner who spoke with the pilot, during the landing, the pilot encountered gusty winds which caused him to lose airplane control and impact terrain adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The owner stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane owner completed the Pilot/Operator Accident Report (National Transportation Safety Board [NTSB] Form 6120.1), as the owner reported the pilot was uncooperative since the accident. The substantial damage to the airplane was reported to the NTSB on December 9, 2014, after a detailed inspection of the airplane damage was performed. ## Factual narrative The pilot was hired to reposition the airplane for the owner. According to the owner who spoke with the pilot, during the landing, the pilot encountered gusty winds which caused him to lose airplane control and impact terrain adjacent to the runway. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The owner stated that there were no preaccident mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airplane owner completed the Pilot/Operator Accident Report (National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Form 6120.1), as the owner reported the pilot was uncooperative since the accident. The substantial damage to the airplane was reported to the NTSB on December 9, 2014, after a detailed inspection of the airplane damage was performed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9YH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9YH), registered now, S/N 5348, built 1996 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AVIAT AIRCRAFT INC PITTS S 2B (B) - Registry model: [Aviat PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210403) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5348 - Year built: 1996 - Airframe hours: 337 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Positioning, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 14, 2014 - Departed: 0E0, Moriarty, NM - Destination: GNT, Grants, NM - Airport: GNT, Grants-Milan, runway 13, 7,172 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 23; injuries: none; private, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 900 total, 800 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 17, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90479. 1.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40420142&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.