# NTSB GAA17CA144: Pitts Special S 1C, N591P, Borger, TX, February 18, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: February 17, 2017, 18:00 local (Feb 18, 2017, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Borger, TX - Coordinates: 35.7, -101.394165 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.7000&lon=-101.3942&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 10, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94732 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA144 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94732/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94732 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA144 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the biplane during takeoff. ## 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 S-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=72202TG), [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 S-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=72202TG), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Pitts Special S-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=72202TG), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Pitts Special S-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=72202TG), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Pitts Special S-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=72202TG), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Pitts Special S-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=72202TG), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Pitts Special S-1C, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=72202TG), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during the takeoff as the tailwheel lifted, the biplane veered "hard right" and exited the runway. He added that he "felt" he had enough speed to fly and attempted to lift off. Subsequently, the biplane struck a tree. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that during the takeoff as the tailwheel lifted, the biplane veered "hard right" and exited the runway. He added that he "felt" he had enough speed to fly and attempted to lift off. Subsequently, the biplane struck a tree. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the fuselage and both wings. The pilot reported that there were no pre-accident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N591P](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N591P-2018-08-02), registration cancelled 2018-08-02, S/N CP-1, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S 1C (NO SERIES) - Registry model: [Pitts Special S-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special-s-1c) (registry code 72202R8) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: CP-1 - Year built: 1967 - Engines: Lycoming O-360 180 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Unknown - Departed: BGD, Borger, TX - Destination: BGD, Borger, TX - Airport: BGD, Hutchinson County, runway 17, 6,299 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 4, 2016; seat: single; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 967.4 total, 30 in this make and model, 877.7 as pilot in command, 4.4 in the last 90 days, 3.4 in the last 30 days, 0.5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.63 inHg - Observed at: KBGD ## 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 20170217001699A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170217001699A), Feb 17, 2017: Pitts Special S-1C, Borger, TX, Substantial damage. On February 17, 2017, at 1800 CDT, N591P, a Pitts Special S-1C, registered to private owner, experienced a loss of control, consistent with a ground-loop… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 28, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94732. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 940 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450383&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 346 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40450384&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-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.