# NTSB CHI92LA221: Stitts SA-11A, N6515, Oshkosh, WI, August 2, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 2, 1992, 11:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Oshkosh, WI
- Coordinates: 44.060783, -88.539505 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.0608&lon=-88.5395&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15503
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15503/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA221

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE HOMEBUILT AIRPLANE DURING THE LANDING. A RELATED FACTOR WAS THE PILOT'S IMPROPER PLANNED APPROACH.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, landing
  - planned approach - improper, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED: 'AS I WAS TOUCHING DOWN, I REALIZED THAT I WAS ON THE WEST TAXIWAY THAT RUNS PARALLEL TO RUNWAY 36/18.  I IMMEDIATELY TRIED TO CORRECT MY ERROR AND ATTEMPTED TO GET ONTO THE RUNWAY.  I WAS TOO LOW AND ACTUALLY HAD TOUCHED DOWN ON THE TAXIWAY.  I LOST CONTROL AND THEN SKIDDED ONTO THE GRASS BETWEEN THE TAXIWAY AND RUNWAY.'  THERE WAS A SIGHTSEEING AIRPLANE PARKED ON THE TAXIWAY WITH THE ENGINES RUNNING.  PASSENGERS WERE BOARDING THAT AIRPLANE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6515](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6515), registered now, S/N HCB-1, built 1968 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STITTS SA-11A
- Registry model: [Stits Playmate SA-11-A](https://openairdocs.org/model/stits-playmate-sa-11-a) (registry code 86509MB) (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: HCB-1
- Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E2A 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Balcer, Henry C.
- Registered owner: Balcer, Henry C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1992, 11 hours before
- Airport: OSH, Oshkosh-Wittman Field, runway 18, 8,001 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 1,329 total, 1,166 in this make and model, 1,294 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: OSH, 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 19920802028509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920802028509A), Aug 2, 1992: Amtrsa STITSSA11A, Oshkosh, WI, Substantial damage. Landed on taxiway downwind. Realized error,tried to side step to runway and lost control. Ford trimotor on taxiway.

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.

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