# NTSB CEN25LA024: Pitts S-2A, N11JC, Stoughton, WI, October 19, 2024 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 19, 2024, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Stoughton, WI - Coordinates: 42.945133, -89.193808 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.9451&lon=-89.1938&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 195360 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN25LA024 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/195360/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195360 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN25LA024 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing. ## 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 · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0110201), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Training: recurrent instruct/training](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031520): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031520/cases.md?model=0110201), [All aircraft, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031520/cases.md) - [Experience/qualifications: qualification/certification](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010): Personnel issues › Experience/knowledge · Pilot; cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md?model=0110201), [All aircraft, 280 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02031010/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=0110201), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=0110201), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0110201), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while performing a touch and go landing to a private turf strip and due to forward visibility limitations in the airplane, he was in a slip during approach with the left rudder applied and the right wing in a low attitude. The wind was from the southwest at 8 to 10 knots, and he maneuvered the airplane to land to the north. The pilot stated that during the touchdown, the airplane pulled to the left, and the left wing contacted tall grass on the left side of the runway, which pulled the airplane further to the left. The pilot then lost airplane control and was unable to remain on the turf strip. The airplane came to rest upright in the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that contributed to the accident, but thought the brake might have locked up during the landing. The reported brake issue could not be substantiated, and further information could not be obtained from the pilot. The pilot did not possess a rating for single-engine land airplanes but had flown 2,159 hours in single-engine airplanes and 174 hours in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot’s most recent flight review was about 5 years prior to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N11JC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N11JC), registered now, S/N 2185, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS S-2A - Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2185 - Year built: 1978 - Airframe hours: 499 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 2024 - Airport: PVT, Private, runway 36, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 89; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; last flight review June 30, 2019; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,354 total, 174 in this make and model, 7,354 as pilot in command, 5.8 in the last 90 days, 0.4 in the last 30 days, 0.3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 30,000 ft broken - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.34 inHg - Observed at: KMSN, 13 nm away - METAR: KMSN 192053Z VRB05KT 10SM BKN300 22/02 A3034 RMK AO2 SLP275 T02220022 56016 ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 20, 2025, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=195360. 2.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18201150&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Scan_24102808_36_11_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Accident photo (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1 photo, 674 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18200577&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20CEN25LA024-Rel.pdf - Record of conversation FAA (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 86 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=18351539&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=MOR%20CEN25LA024-Rel.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.