# NTSB DEN93LA035: Pitts S2B, N876CB, Boulder, CO, March 24, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 24, 1993, 13:10 local (20:10 UTC)
- Place: Boulder, CO
- Coordinates: 39.969047, -105.209548 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.9690&lon=-105.2095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 25, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18277
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN93LA035
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18277/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN93LA035

## Probable cause

THE PILOT IN COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN A VISUAL LOOKOUT.  A FACTOR WAS:  THE STUDENT PILOT'S RESTRICTED VISUAL LOOKOUT.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, approach - vfr pattern - base leg/base to final
  - visual lookout - not maintained, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - restricted, dual student (contributing factor)
  - emergency procedure - simulated, pilot in command(cfi)

## Analysis

THE INSTRUCTOR DECIDED TO SIMULATE A POWER LOSS BY CLOSING THE THROTTLE. THE STUDENT RESPONDED BY TURNING TOWARDS THE ACTIVE RUNWAY.  WHEN IT BECAME APPARENT THE AIRPLANE WAS AT TOO LOW AN ALTITUDE TO GLIDE TO THE RUNWAY, THE INSTRUCTOR TOLD THE STUDENT TO ADD POWER AND SHE DID.  THE INSTRUCTOR SAID HE SAW TREES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AIRPLANE THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD CLEAR.  HE DID NOT, HOWEVER, SEE A TREE DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE AIRPLANE.  THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE TREE.  THE INSTRUCTOR TOOK CONTROL AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N876CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N876CB-1995-07-12), registration cancelled 1995-07-12, S/N 5033 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S2B
- Registry model: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-aerobatics-s-2b) (registry code 7220450) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5033
- Airframe hours: 1660
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Flatirons Aviation, Inc.
- Registered owner: New Attitude Aerobatics, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, November 30, 1992, 76 hours before
- Departed: 1V5
- Destination: 1V5
- Airport: 1V5, Boulder Municipal, runway 8, 4,100 × 40 ft, dirt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial, flight instructor, flight engineer, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 14,100 total, 503 in this make and model, 6,658 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 10 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: BJC, 11 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 19930324006729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930324006729A), Mar 24, 1993: Child S2BPITTS, Boulder, CO, Substantial damage. Struck a tree hidden by nose of aircraft during a practice engine out approach. CFI took over and landed on runway.

## Other investigations on N876CB (1)

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.

- [NTSB CHI95DCQ01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI95DCQ01), Apr 1, 1995: Pitts S-2B (N876CB), Ottawa, KS, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot not performing proper stall/spin recovery procedures.

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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