# NTSB ERA22LA364: Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S, N49310, Erwinna, PA, August 6, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 6, 2022, 13:25 local (17:25 UTC)
- Place: Erwinna, PA
- Coordinates: 40.48427, -75.099616 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4843&lon=-75.0996&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105682
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA364
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105682/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105682
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA364

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The inability of both pilots to see and avoid the collision. Contributing to the accident was the pilot of the red airplane’s decision to utilize the converging runway for takeoff, contrary to the guidance published in the airport facility directory. Also contributing was the failure of the pilot of the black airplane to adequately utilize his radio to announce his taxi on the common traffic advisory frequency and his failure to recognize that an airplane was departing from a converging runway.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=0110301), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=0110301), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Communications system: vHF communication system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022312): Aircraft › Aircraft systems · Not used/operated (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022312/cases.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01022312/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md)
- [Info processing/decision: identification/recognition](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 559 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041510/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Takeoff: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=0110301), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)
- [Taxi-to runway: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Waco UPF-7, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=9601302), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The private pilot of a predominately black and orange colored, tailwheel-equipped airplane (black airplane) reported that he was taxiing in the grass next to the turf runway 25 for departure. The taxi route required him to cross another converging turf runway 23. During the taxi, he did not make any radio calls on the airport common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) announcing that he was taxiing or crossing runway 23. The commercial pilot of a predominately red and white colored, tailwheel-equipped airplane (red airplane) that was based at the airport stated that he was departing runway 23, which was primarily used for glider operations but also was routinely used by powered airplanes when available based on runway conditions. He scanned ahead on runway 23 and after observing there was no conflicting traffic and not hearing any announcements from other aircraft, he broadcast his intent to depart from runway 23 on the CTAF. That transmission was heard by the pilot of the black airplane but at the time it did not register to him that the red airplane was departing from a converging runway, adding that he looked along runway 25 and expected to see the red airplane departing but he did not. The pilot of the red airplane reported that just after lifting off, the right wing of his airplane and the right wing of the black airplane collided; he never saw the other airplane. Following the collision, the red airplane impacted the ground and rolled onto its right side. The pilot of the black airplane, who was taxiing slowly, reported he heard a loud engine followed immediately by the sight of something hitting his right wings. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage to their wings during the collision. The pilots of both airplanes reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with their airplanes that would have precluded normal operation. According to the airport manager, the runway utilized by the pilot of the red airplane was specified in the airport facility directory to be for gliders only, though that was not strictly enforced.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N49310](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N49310-2024-08-16), registration cancelled 2024-08-16, S/N KA-103, built 1982 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS SPECIAL S-1S (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 0110301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: KA-103
- Year built: 1982
- Airframe hours: 785
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Condition, July 1, 2022
- Airport: 9N1, Vansant, runway 23G, 1,340 × 200 ft, grass/turf

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N32141](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N32141), registered now, S/N 5773 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: WACO UPF-7 (NO SERIES)
- Registry model: [Waco UPF-7](https://openairdocs.org/model/waco-upf-7) (registry code 9601302) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5773
- Year built: 1941
- Engines: CONT MOTOR W-670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, September 17, 2021
- Destination: 50PA, Stroudsburg, PA
- Equipment: Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N49310; age 48; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: powered-lift, airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review July 7, 2022; seat: center; flight hours: 7,820 total, 29 in this make and model, 3,300 as pilot in command, 105 in the last 90 days, 65 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N32141; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: basicmed, without waivers/limitations; last flight review October 7, 2021; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,500 total, 700 in this make and model, 1,450 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,900 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observed at: KDYL, 9 nm away
- METAR: KDYL 061854Z AUTO 21006KT 10SM BKN039 BKN050 31/21 A3020 RMK AO2 SLP221 T03110206

## FAA reports on this event (2)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20220806020311A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220806020311A), Aug 6, 2022: Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S, Erwinna, PA, Substantial damage. This accident was due to a ground collision between two aircraft. The pilot of the pitts, (this report AEA0522020) stated that he made a radio call that he was…
- [Accident 20220806020321A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220806020321A), Aug 6, 2022: Waco UPF-7, Erwinna, PA, Substantial damage. This accident was due to a ground collision between two aircraft. The pilot of the pitts, (report AEA0522020) stated that he made a radio call that he was…

## Docket (9 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 27, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105682. 15.8 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 - N49310 (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14960646&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%206120_1%20McVicker%20completed_Recd%209%2016%202022%20-%20N49310_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 - N32141 (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 10.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14960837&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20(2)%20Recd%208%2015%202022%20-%20N32141%20For%20MyDMS_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of NTSB conversation (item 3, PDF, 5 pages, 183 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14960656&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20Daniel%20T%20Wilkins%209%2015%202022%20v02%20w%20Corrctns_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Record of conversation with airport manager (item 4, PDF, 5 pages, 3 photos, 962 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14984020&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=FINAL%20Record%20of%20Convo%20w%20George%20Taylor%201%2019%202023%20v02_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Drawing from pilot of N32141 (item 5, PDF, 1 page, 188 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14960973&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=9N1diagram-Rel.pdf
- Recommendation from pilot of N32141 (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14961605&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=9N1%20recommendations%20Fm%20Plt%20of%20N32141-Rel.pdf
- Investigative photographs (item 7, PDF, 2 pages, 2 photos, 800 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14967761&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 - N49310 (item 8, PDF, 1 page, 352 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14961041&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20-%20N49310_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 - N32141 (item 9, PDF, 1 page, 372 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14960547&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Release%20-%20N32141_Redacted-Rel.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.

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