# NTSB CEN16LA202: Harry Oas Pitts S1C, N95R, Carlsbad, NM, May 29, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 29, 2016, 11:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Carlsbad, NM - Coordinates: 32.337501, -104.263336 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.3375&lon=-104.2633&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 11, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA Flight Standards - NTSB case key (mKey): 93285 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16LA202 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93285/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93285 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16LA202 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in crosswind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Oas Harry PITTS S1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=72202SY), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Oas Harry PITTS S1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=72202SY), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Oas Harry PITTS S1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=72202SY), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [Oas Harry PITTS S1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=72202SY), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Oas Harry PITTS S1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=72202SY), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Oas Harry PITTS S1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=72202SY), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot was landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane; it departed the left side of the runway during the landing roll and subsequently nosed over. A skid mark associated with the left main wheel was observed on the runway following the accident. A postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies of the brake system. Left and right rudder/brake pedal travel was not restricted, and the brake system was intact and operational. Weather information indicated that there was a 20° right crosswind at 8 knots about the time of the accident. Given the absence of mechanical anomalies, it is likely that the pilot failed to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Factual narrative On May 29, 2016, about 1100 mountain daylight time, an experimental, amateur-built Harry Oas Pitts S1C airplane, N95R, was substantially damaged when it nosed over following a runway excursion during landing on runway 14L (4,616 feet by 150 feet, asphalt) at the Cavern City Air Terminal (CNM), Carlsbad, New Mexico. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by private individuals under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, which was not operated on a flight plan. The flight originated from the Big Spring McMahon-Wrinkle Airport (BPG), Big Spring, Texas, at about 0935.The pilot reported that the prevailing wind was from 160 degrees at 8 knots while on approach to runway 14L at CNM. The approach and touchdown were without incident; however, as the airplane slowed, a "slight" left turn developed. Right rudder and brake inputs were not effective. The left turn continued until the airplane departed the runway pavement. The right wing subsequently struck the ground and the airplane nosed over. Examination of the runway environment revealed a skid mark beginning left of the centerline and gradually curving toward the left side of the pavement. The mark appeared to have been associated with the left main landing gear tire. There did not appear to be any skid marks associated with the right main landing gear tire. A postaccident examination was conducted by a local mechanic on behalf of the NTSB. Flight control continuity was confirmed and each control surface exhibited freedom of movement. The brake system was intact and operational. No flat spots were observed on either tire. The mechanic noted that the brakes seemed to be "touchy," adding that a small amount of pedal travel was required to actuate the brakes. In addition, the firewall exhibited a scrape mark and depression consistent with contact from the right rudder/brake pedal linkage. However, movement of the right pedal did not appear to be restricted. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N95R](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N95R), registered now, S/N OAS-1, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Harry Oas Pitts S1C - Registry model: [Oas Harry PITTS S1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/oas-harry-pitts-s1c) (registry code 72202SY) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: OAS-1 - Year built: 1967 - Airframe hours: 934.6 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 2015, 5 hours before - Departed: BPG, Big Spring, TX - Destination: CNM, Carlsbad, NM - Airport: CNM, Cavern City Air Terminal, runway 14L, 4,616 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: single; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 740 total, 5 in this make and model, 662 as pilot in command, 16 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 10 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: CNM, 1 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 20160529005579A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160529005579A), May 29, 2016: Oas Harry PITTS S1C, Carlsbad, NM, Substantial damage. On may 29, 2016, at 1115 CDT, approximately, a pitts S1C bearing registration number N95R, registered to a private individual, landed on runway 14L at the… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 7, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93285. 2.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 769 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463837&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records -- Aircraft Logbook (Excerpt) (item 2, .PDF, 156 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463838&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20--%20Aircraft%20Logbook%20(Excerpt)-Master.PDF - Maintenance Records -- Engine Logbook (Excerpt) (item 3, .PDF, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463839&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Maintenance%20Records%20--%20Engine%20Logbook%20(Excerpt)-Master.PDF - Conversation Summary -- Mechanic (item 4, .PDF, 134 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463840&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Summary%20--%20Mechanic-Master.PDF - Conversation Summary -- Airport Manager (item 5, .PDF, 89 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463841&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Conversation%20Summary%20--%20Airport%20Manager-Master.PDF - Accident Report Photos (item 6, .PDF, 4 photos, 975 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463842&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Report%20Photos-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.