# NTSB ERA09CA307: Aerotek Pitts Spec, N55MF, Beaver Falls, PA, May 24, 2009 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 24, 2009, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC) - Place: Beaver Falls, PA - Coordinates: 40.77222, -80.391387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7722&lon=-80.3914&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 9, 2009 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 73903 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA09CA307 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/73903/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73903 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA09CA307 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing rollout. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=0110301), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=0110301), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=0110301), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=0110301), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=0110301), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot completed three orbits above the airfield before attempting to land on runway 28. During the landing the airplane became unstable. The pilot applied rapid deflections of the rudder and kept the airplane straight momentarily, but ultimately it continued veering to the left. He applied full right rudder, full right brake , and power. In the process, the airplane “tipped forward” onto the right main landing gear and rolled onto the right wing tip. The propeller contacted the runway several times before the airplane exited the left side of the runway at about a 70-degree angle and nosed over. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane. Wind at the time was from the southwest at approximately 7 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot completed three orbits above the airfield before attempting to land on runway 28. During the landing, the airplane became unstable. The pilot applied rapid deflections of the rudder and kept the airplane straight momentarily, but ultimately, it continued veering to the left. He applied full right rudder, full right break, and power. In the process, the airplane “tipped forward” onto the right main landing gear and rolled onto the right wingtip. The propeller contacted the runway several times before the airplane exited the left side of the runway at about a 70 degree angle, and nosed over. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane. Wind at the time was from the south west approximately 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55MF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55MF-2018-07-12), registration cancelled 2018-07-12, S/N KA-102 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS SPEC - Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 0110301) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: KA-102 - Airframe hours: 1282 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, May 24, 2009, 0 hours before - Departed: Beaver Falls, PA - Destination: KBVI, Beaver Falls, PA - Airport: BVI, Beaver County Airport, runway 28, 4,501 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review April 10, 2009; seat: single; flight hours: 30,000 total, 5 in this make and model, 25,940 as pilot in command, 255 in the last 90 days, 85 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 77 °F, dew point 61 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KBVI ## 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 20090524011839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20090524011839A), May 24, 2009: Amtr PITTSSPECIAL, Beaver Falls, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) PIC was conducting a flight after a condition inspection and installation of a new prop. During the landing, the PIC lost control of the aircraft, tipped… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 23, 2009, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=73903. 429 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 244 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314455&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements to the FAA Inspector. (item 2, .PDF, 184 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40314456&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20to%20the%20FAA%20Inspector.-Redacted.PDF 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.