# NTSB ERA10CA182: Frederickson Charles A Pitts S-2E, N17CF, Okeechobee, FL, March 13, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 13, 2010, 16:45 local (21:45 UTC) - Place: Okeechobee, FL - Coordinates: 27.325277, -81.02861 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.3253&lon=-81.0286&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 July 22, 2010 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 75555 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA182 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/75555/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75555 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA182 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Frederickson Charles A PITTS S-2E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=72217A5), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Frederickson Charles A PITTS S-2E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=72217A5), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/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: [Frederickson Charles A PITTS S-2E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=72217A5), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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: [Frederickson Charles A PITTS S-2E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=72217A5), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Frederickson Charles A PITTS S-2E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=72217A5), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Frederickson Charles A PITTS S-2E, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=72217A5), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he encountered a strong crosswind during landing on runway 33, a 3,875-foot-long, 66-foot-wide, turf runway. After touchdown, the airplane veered to the left and the pilot was "unable to recover". The airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck an embankment, and nosed over. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the upper wing, empennage, and rudder. The pilot reported he did not experience any mechanical anomalies during the accident. The winds reported at the time of the accident were from 280 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot, he encountered a strong crosswind during landing on runway 33, a 3,875-foot-long, 66-foot-wide, turf runway. After touchdown, the airplane veered to the left and was "unable to recover". The airplane departed the left side of the runway, struck an embankment, and nosed over. The airplane incurred substantial damage to the upper wing, empennage, and rudder. The pilot reported he did not experience any mechanical anomalies during the accident. The winds reported at the time of the accident were from 280 degrees at 13 knots, gusting to 19 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N17CF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N17CF), registered now, S/N K0024, built 1984 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FREDERICKSON CHARLES A PITTS S-2E - Registry model: [Frederickson Charles A PITTS S-2E](https://openairdocs.org/model/frederickson-charles-a-pitts-s-2e) (registry code 72217A5) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: K0024 - Airframe hours: 1226 - Engines: LYCOMING I0360 SER A&C 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Serenity Transport LLC - Registered owner: Serenity Transport LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, January 15, 2010, 7 hours before - Departed: OBE, Okeechobee, FL - Destination: OBE, Okeechobee, FL - Airport: FD70, River Acres Airport, runway 33, 3,875 × 66 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 48; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 15, 2009; seat: rear; flight hours: 7,300 total, 200 in this make and model, 6,265 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 13 knots, gusting 19 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: OBE, 10 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 20100313031949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100313031949A), Mar 13, 2010: Frederickso PITTS S-2E, Okeechobbee, FL, Substantial damage. Pilot states that while landing, the aircraft was affected by strong, unexpected cross wind and this caused damage to the aicraft upon crashing. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 10, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=75555. 904 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 626 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328735&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1: Digital picture provided by FAA showing damage to left wing and nose (item 2, .PDF, 128 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328761&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Digital%20picture%20provided%20by%20FAA%20showing%20damage%20to%20left%20wing%20and%20nose-Master.PDF - Photo 2: Digital picture provided by FAA showing damage to left wing and empenage (item 3, .PDF, 109 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40328762&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%3A%20Digital%20picture%20provided%20by%20FAA%20showing%20damage%20to%20left%20wing%20and%20empenage-Master.PDF - Memorandum for record for pilot (item 4, .PDF, 41 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40329638&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20record%20for%20pilot-Master.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.