# NTSB DEN08CA142: Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S, N362JW, Crawford, CO, August 13, 2008

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: August 13, 2008, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC)
- Place: Crawford, CO
- Coordinates: 38.703887, -107.643608
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7039&lon=-107.6436&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 26, 2008
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 68714
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN08CA142
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/68714/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN08CA142

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff.  Contributing to the accident were wind gusts and rough terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md)
- [Terrain: rough terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 442 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021015/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

During the takeoff roll after the tailwheel lifted off the runway, the airplane encountered a "strong left crosswind."  The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder; however, the airplane departed the runway surface.  Subsequently, the airplane contacted rough/uneven terrain, flipped over and came to rest inverted.  The pilot and witnesses reported the winds at the time of calm with intermittent gusts.

## Factual narrative

During the takeoff roll after the tailwheel lifted off the runway, the airplane encountered a "strong left crosswind."  The pilot attempted to correct with right rudder; however, the airplane departed the runway surface.  Subsequently, the airplane contacted rough/uneven terrain, flipped over and came to rest inverted.  The pilot and witnesses reported the winds at the time of calm with intermittent gusts.  Examination of the airplane showed that the vertical stabilizer and rudder were bent.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N362JW (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1-0056
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-B4A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kent M. Taylor
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: Crawford, CO
- Airport: 99V, Crawford, runway 7

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,035 total, 429 in this make and model, 3 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20080813857619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20080813857619A), Aug 13, 2008: Aerote PITSSPECIALS, Crawford, CO, Substantial damage. On takeoff roll raised tail at approximately 60 knots at which time either a gust or wake turbulence from and ag-cat towing a glider weathervaned the aircraft…

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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