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DEN91LA074

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NTSB accident investigation · Pitts S-2B · Albuquerque, NM · May 16, 1991

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report

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Date
May 16, 1991, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
Place
Albuquerque, NM
Injuries
2 uninjured
Phase of flight
Taxi
Aircraft
N603SBPitts S-2BN602SBPitts S-2B
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report March 31, 1993
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA reports
19910516016461A19910516016462A
Case key
18090

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

Failure of the pilot of the other airplane to maintain visual lookout.

The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

On ground/water collision with objectTaxi - from landing
Visual lookout - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Object - aircraft moving on ground
On ground/water collision with objectTaxi - from landing
Visual lookout - not maintainedPilot of other aircraftCause
Object - aircraft moving on ground

Analysis

The pilot of the number three airplane, in a flight of four taxiing after landing, momentarily lost visual contact with the number two airplane ahead and collided with its tail.

The pilot of the number three airplane, in a flight of four taxiing after landing, momentarily lost visual contact with the number two airplane ahead and collided with its tail.

Aircraft · 2

Registration
N603SB
Reported as
Pitts S-2B
Category
Airplane
Serial number
5035
Engine
Lycoming IO-540-D4A5, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Minor damage
Flight
Business · Part 91
Operator
National Airshows, Inc.
Registered owner
National Airshows, Inc.
Airport
AEG · Double Eagle II, runway 22, 7,398 × 100 ft, asphalt
N603SBRegistered now · Pitts Aerobatics S-2BS/N 5035Airframe modelPitts Aerobatics S-2B

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Registration
N602SB
Reported as
Pitts S-2B
Category
Airplane
Serial number
5027
Engine
Lycoming IO-540-D4A5, 260 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Business · Part 91
Operator
National Airshows, Incn.
Registered owner
National Airshows, Incn.
Airport
AEG · Double Eagle II, runway 22, 7,398 × 100 ft, asphalt

Flight crew · 2

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot, aircraft N603SB
Age
31
Certificates
Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 2, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Flight hours
5,283 total · 375 in this make and model · 5,261 as pilot in command · 115 in the last 90 days · 65 in the last 30 days · 7 in the last 24 hours
Role
Pilot, aircraft N602SB
Age
31
Certificates
Airline transport, Commercial, Flight instructor
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land, Multi-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 1, Valid Medical--no waivers/lim.
Flight hours
6,070 total · 950 in this make and model · 5,878 as pilot in command · 124 in the last 90 days · 66 in the last 30 days · 7 in the last 24 hours

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
250° at 9 knots
Visibility
60 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
-0 °F, dew point -0 °F

FAA reports on this event · 2

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Accident 19910516016461AChild S2BPITTS · Albuquerque, NMTaxied into tail of other S2B,N602SB,that was stopped waiting for another S2B to clear. Flight of 4 airshow team.May 16, 1991 · N603SB · Minor damageAccident 19910516016462AChild S2BPITTS · Albuquerque, NMWhile stopped on taxiway was struck in tail by other S2B,N603SB,that was taxiing behind. Was part of 4 airshow teamMay 16, 1991 · N602SB · Substantial damage