# NTSB GAA19CA596: Pitts S1, N515JD, Reno, NV, September 11, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 11, 2019, 14:43 local (21:43 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.668056, -119.876388 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.6681&lon=-119.8764&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 17, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100633 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA596 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100633/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100633 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA596 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and a ground loop. ## 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: [John A Dalessandris PITTS S1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=05635EI), [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: [John A Dalessandris PITTS S1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=05635EI), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [John A Dalessandris PITTS S1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=05635EI), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [John A Dalessandris PITTS S1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=05635EI), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [John A Dalessandris PITTS S1S, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=05635EI), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, during landing, the biplane encountered a right crosswind, veered right off the runway, and ground looped. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the lower left wing and rudder. 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 of the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that, during landing, the airplane encountered a right crosswind, veered to the right off the runway, and ground looped to the right. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower left wing and rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 150° at 4 knots. The pilot added that he believed he encountered a dust devil. The pilot was landing the airplane on runway 08. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N515JD](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N515JD), registered now, S/N RB2016, built 2016 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pitts S1 (S) - Registry model: [John A Dalessandris PITTS S1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/john-a-dalessandris-pitts-s1s) (registry code 05635EI) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming HIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-hio-360-series) (registry code 41524, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: RB2016 - Year built: 2016 - Airframe hours: 114.3 - Engines: Lycoming HIO-360-A 350 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Air race/show, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, June 19, 2019 - Departed: RTS, Reno, NV - Destination: RTS, Reno, NV - Airport: RTS, Reno/Stead, runway 08, 7,608 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 15, 2019; seat: center; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 6,718 total, 75 in this make and model, 6,210 as pilot in command, 27 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 150° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 28 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Observed at: KRTS ## 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 20190911023049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190911023049A), Sep 11, 2019: John A Dalessandris PITTS S1S, Reno, NV, Minor damage. The pilot ground looped after racing. There was a thermal (devil duster) over the first third of the landing runway which may have caused the aircraft to… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 7, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100633. 971 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 709 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479657&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of E-mail Correspondence (FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479658&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20E-mail%20Correspondence%20(FAA)-Master.PDF - Damage Photos (item 3, .PDF, 168 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479659&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Damage%20Photos-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.