# NTSB DEN90LA050: Christen Industries Pitts, N25CH, Las Vegas, NV, February 3, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 3, 1990, 12:05 local (20:05 UTC)
- Place: Las Vegas, NV
- Coordinates: 36.08073, -115.139572 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.0807&lon=-115.1396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 29, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17887
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA050
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17887/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA050

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AFTER A PARTIAL FAILURE OF THE NORMAL BRAKE SYSTEM.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - fluid,hydraulic - low level
  - landing gear,normal brake system - failure,partial (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID THAT DURING LANDING ROLL ON A FUEL STOP, THE AIRPLANE SWERVED TO THE LEFT. HE ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT WITH RIGHT BRAKE, TO NO AVAIL. THE PLANE GROUND LOOPED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY AND ENTERED SOFT TERRAIN. THE PLANE NOSED OVER AND CAME TO REST INVERTED. A POST-ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BY AN FAA INSPECTOR REVEALED THAT THE RIGHT BRAKE PADS WERE WORN AND REQUIRED MORE FLUID FROM THE BRAKE RESERVOIR. THE FLUID LEVEL IN THE RESERVOIR WAS LOW. NO LEAKS OR OTHER PROBLEMS WERE FOUND ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THIS AIRCRAFT WAS AN EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN WITH LANDING GEAR ON THE TOP SIDE OF THE WINGS, MAKING IT CAPABLE OF INVERTED LANDINGS. THE SAME FLUID RESERVOIR SERVED BOTH SETS OF BRAKES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N25CH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N25CH), registered now, S/N 5106, built 1986 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES PITTS
- Registry model: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-aerobatics-s-2b) (registry code 7220450) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5106
- Airframe hours: 698
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hosking Aerobatics
- Registered owner: Craig Hosking
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, March 17, 1989, 229 hours before
- Departed: BTF, WOODS CROSS, UT
- Flight plan: Company VFR
- Airport: LAS, Mccarran, runway 19R, 5,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 44; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,825 total, 352 in this make and model, 7,538 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F
- Altimeter: 32.00 inHg

## 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 19900203001609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900203001609A), Feb 3, 1990: Child S2BPITTS, Las Vegas, NV, Substantial damage. Swerved off runway on landing roll and flipped. Right brake failed due low fluid and worn brake pad.

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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