# NTSB CHI04LA007: Aviat Pitts S-2B, N68PS, Cromwell, MN, October 10, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 10, 2003, 18:05 local (23:05 UTC) - Place: Cromwell, MN - Coordinates: 46.669609, -92.8693 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.6696&lon=-92.8693&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report July 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 58157 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI04LA007 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58157/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI04LA007 ## Probable cause The altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot while performing aerobatic maneuvers. Contributing factors were the planning/decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - planning/decision - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - altitude - low, pilot in command (contributing factor) - bail-out/emergency ejection - not performed, pilot in command ## Analysis The airplane impacted a lake while performing aerobatics at an altitude of about 1,500 feet above ground level. A witness, who stated that he was familiar with the pilot's aerobatic routine stated that the pilot began an intentional spin about 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL), initiated a recovery at 150-200 feet AGL, and impacted the lake. Examination of the wreckage confirmed flight control continuity. The pilot was found in the rear seat secured by the airplane restraint harness. He was wearing a parachute. ## Factual narrative On October 10, 2003, at 1805 central daylight time, an Aviat Pitts S-2B, N68PS, owned and piloted by a commercial pilot, was destroyed when it impacted Island Lake, near Cromwell, Minnesota. Witnesses reported that the airplane was performing aerobatics prior to the accident. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Duluth International Airport, Duluth, Minnesota, at 1740. According to the Carlton County Sheriff's Department Report, a witness was walking when he saw the airplane flying over the lake. He said that the airplane was climbing and appeared to be stalled. It then turned into a sharp angle downward and went down toward the lake. He said that at one point he saw smoke coming from the airplane. A second witness stated that he was outside his residence when he saw the airplane fly over at 30 feet above the trees in an eastbound direction. He heard the engine, and it was very loud. It sounded as though it was at full throttle. The witness said that he saw smoke coming out of the airplane. A third witness, who was a friend of the pilot and knew his routine, said that he was watching the airplane prior to the accident and that it was at an altitude of about 1,500 feet. He said the airplane rolled into a spin and upon reaching one turn into the spin it turned smoke on. He said that what he saw was an intentional spin and that this was an actual aerobatic maneuver that the pilot has performed. He said that the pilot started the recovery and a pull out about 150 - 200 feet. An autopsy of the pilot was conducted by the St. Louis County, Office of the Medical Examiner, Hibbing, Minnesota. The Federal Aviation Administration’s Final Forensic Toxicology Fatal Accident Report reported the following: no carbon monoxide detected in blood, no cyanide detected in blood, no ethanol detected in blood, no drugs listed above detected in blood. Divers reported that the pilot was seated in the rear seat and was wearing the airplane restraint harness and a parachute. The airplane was in 14 - 16 feet of water about 300 feet from shore. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector confirmed flight control continuity to the flight controls. The airplane was equipped with a smoke system. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N68PS-2018-01-23), registration cancelled 2018-01-23, S/N 5320, built 1995 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat Pitts S-2B - Registry model: [Aviat PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5320 - Airframe hours: 496.8 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Eugene Marsolek - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 4, 2002, 425.4 hours before - Departed: DLH, Duluth, MN - Destination: DLH, MN ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 6,317 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: COQ, 22 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 20031010027929A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20031010027929A), Oct 10, 2003: Aviat PITTSS2B, Cromwell, MN, Destroyed, 1 fatal. (-23) Pilot performing low-level aerobatics over south island lake, Cromwell, MN without a waiver for 91.303. Aircraft observed by witnesses to impact water at… 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.