# NTSB ERA11CA477: Pitts Special, N2997G, Bessemer, AL, August 20, 2011 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 20, 2011, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC) - Place: Bessemer, AL - Coordinates: 33.307498, -86.922225 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3075&lon=-86.9222&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 January 18, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 81619 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA11CA477 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/81619/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81619 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA11CA477 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## 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: [Pitts SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=72201KZ), [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: [Pitts SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=72201KZ), [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: [Pitts SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=72201KZ), [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: [Pitts SPECIAL, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=72201KZ), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis At the conclusion of the pilot's second flight in the accident airplane, he landed at the destination airport. During the landing roll, the airplane began to drift to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the drift by applying left rudder, but the airplane continued to the right. He then applied what he thought was the maximum left brake and rudder to counteract the drift, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway, impacted a taxiway sign, came to rest in a grassy area, and sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot later determined that, due to his large stature, his foot was likely contacting the firewall instead of the rudder pedal, which inhibited him from applying maximum left brake and rudder. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative At the conclusion of the pilot's second flight in the accident airplane, he landed the airplane at the destination airport. During the landing rollout, the airplane began to drift to the right. The pilot attempted to correct the drift by applying left rudder but the airplane continued to the right. He then applied what he thought was the maximum left brake and rudder to counteract the drift, but the airplane continued off the right side of the runway, impacted a taxiway sign, and came to rest in a grassy area. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the right wing spar. The pilot later determined that due to his large stature, his foot was likely contacting the firewall instead of the rudder pedal, which inhibited him from applying maximum left brake and rudder. The pilot reported there were no preexisting mechanical anomalies with the airplane. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2997G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2997G), registered now, S/N BM-01 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL - Registry model: [Pitts SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special) (registry code 72202KL) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-320-series) (registry code 41500, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: BM-01 - Airframe hours: 1954 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-320 SER 160 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Stephen L. Garrison - Registered owner: Stephen L. Garrison - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: LUL, Laurel, MS - Destination: EKY, Bessemer, AL - Airport: EKY, Bessemer Airport, runway 05, 6,007 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 52; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 3, 2011; seat: single; flight hours: 928 total, 5 in this make and model, 893 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 29.98 inHg - Observed at: EET, 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 20110820020639A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20110820020639A), Aug 20, 2011: Pitts SPECIAL, Bessemer, AL, Substantial damage. On August 20, 2010 at approximately 1030 hrs local a Pitts Special aircraft landed on runway 05 at Bessemer, AL (keky). On rollout from landing the aircraft… ## Other investigations on N2997G (2) 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 MIA95LA003](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA95LA003), Oct 5, 1994: Pitts S1C (N2997G), Plant City, FL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING RESULTING IN THE AIRCRAFT RUNNING OFF THE SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSING OVER IN SOFT TERRAIN. - [NTSB MKC77FER61](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC77FER61), Jul 16, 1977: Pitts S-1S (N2997G), Jordan, MN, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 30, 2011, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=81619. 476 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 300 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353571&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 16 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353572&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Weather Observations (item 3, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353573&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1: Damage to Airplane (item 4, .PDF, 35 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40353574&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%3A%20Damage%20to%20Airplane-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.