# NTSB CHI98LA160: Pitts S-2A, N31517, Benton, KS, May 18, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 17, 1998, 19:00 local (May 18, 1998, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Benton, KS - Coordinates: 37.780956, -97.100738 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.7810&lon=-97.1007&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report February 16, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10883 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA160 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10883/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA160 ## Probable cause the pilot did not flare the airplane properly during the forced landing. A factor was the engine failure for undetermined reasons. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - reason for occurrence undetermined (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, emergency descent/landing - flare - improper, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had recently installed the engine in the airplane after it had been overhauled. The purpose of the flight was a maintenance check flight and engine break-in. The pilot conducted the normal preflight and engine run-up procedures in accordance with the Airplane Flight Manual. He reported no abnormal indications were observed. The takeoff and initial climbout were normal with no anomalies observed. At approximately 400 feet agl, the engine sputtered and lost partial power. He established a nose down attitude to maintain airspeed. He turned to the left. He reported the engine lost complete power and he conducted a forced landing to a wheat field adjacent to the airport. A witness reported the nose pitched down about 45 degrees after the engine failure. He reported, 'The airplane continued on this -45 degree line, wings level and in control until impact.' The witness reported that during the power-on portion of the flight, no smoke or vapor trails were seen. After the engine quit, the propeller continued to windmill. During the inspection of the airplane, no mechanical anomalies to the airframe or engine were noted. The engine was put on a test stand and it operated normally. ## Factual narrative On May 17, 1998, at 1900 central daylight time, a Pitts S-2A, N31517, was substantially damaged when the engine lost power during takeoff. The airplane was turning back to the airport when it crashed in a wheat field about 1/4 mile south of the Benton Airport, Benton, Kansas. The pilot received serious injuries. The CFR 14 Part 91 flight departed the Benton Airport on a local maintenance flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that the engine had just been installed in the airplane after it had been overhauled. The purpose of the flight was a maintenance check flight and engine break-in. The pilot reported that he conducted the normal preflight and engine run-up procedures in accordance with the Airplane Flight Manual. He reported no abnormal indications were observed. The pilot reported that the takeoff and initial climbout were normal with no anomalies observed. He reported that at approximately 400 feet agl, the engine sputtered and lost partial power. He established a nose down attitude to maintain airspeed. He turned to the left. He reported the engine lost complete power and he conducted a forced landing to a wheat field adjacent to the airport. A witness to the accident, who had also helped the pilot install the overhauled engine in the airplane, reported that the airplane seemed to be developing full power and accelerating normally. He reported that the airplane climbed to 400 feet and turned right when the engine popped and sputtered. He reported the engine went to about half power. The airplane started a turn to the left and during the turn the engine quit. He reported the nose pitched down about 45 degrees. He reported, "The airplane continued on this -45 degree line, wings level and in control until impact." The witness reported that during the power-on portion of the flight, no smoke or vapor trails were seen. The witness reported the propeller continued to windmill after the engine quit. An Airworthiness Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration inspected the airplane at the accident site. He reported that no mechanical anomalies to the airframe or engine were noted during the inspection. On onsite inspection of the engine revealed that the engine had incurred very little impact damage. The engine was sent to engine manufacturer and an engine run was accomplished. The engine ran when it was put on the test stand. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N31517](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N31517-2012-09-27), registration cancelled 2012-09-27, S/N 2249, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pitts S-2A - Registry model: [Pitts S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-s-2a) (registry code 7220401) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2249 - Airframe hours: 1624 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1E 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Rodney K. Hoctor - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, May 13, 1998, 0 hours before - Departed: 1K1 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,642 total, 1,200 in this make and model, 2,108 as pilot in command, 95 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 250° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: ICT, 18 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 19980517009629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980517009629A), May 17, 1998: Child S2APITTS, Benton, KS, Substantial damage. Acft was on test flight following maintenance, acft took off and turned right, witness stated may exp engine failure (.4)the pilot reported that he had… 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.