# NTSB LAX00LA007: Pitts S2B, N50AL, Salinas, CA, October 11, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 11, 1999, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Salinas, CA
- Coordinates: 36.670631, -121.609474 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6706&lon=-121.6095&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 25, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47597
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX00LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47597/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX00LA007

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the effects of torque and P-factor during a go-around from a bounced landing, which led to a loss of control and the inadvertent dragging of a wing.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, go-around (vfr)
  - recovery from bounced landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - torque/p-factor - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, go-around (vfr)

## Analysis

Calm wind conditions prevailed as the pilot completed six touch-and-go landings.  On the next landing the airplane bounced, and the pilot initiated a go-around as part of the recovery attempt.  He said the airplane veered left off the runway heading and was going toward the control tower.  He banked right to return to the runway centerline and the right wing tip drug the ground.  The airplane then settled into the ground and the wing and propeller were damaged.

## Factual narrative

On October 11, 1999, about 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a Pitts S2B, N50AL, drug a wing during a go-around from a bounced landing while practicing touch-and-go landings at the Salinas, California, municipal airport.  The airplane sustained substantial damage.  The private pilot operated the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91, and was not injured.  The local personal flight departed Salinas at 1000.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and included calm wind conditions.  No flight plan was filed.

The pilot stated he completed six touch-and-go landings.  On the next landing the airplane bounced, and the pilot initiated a go-around as part of the recovery attempt.  He said the airplane veered left off the runway heading and was going toward the control tower.  He banked right to return to the runway centerline and the right wing tip drug the ground.  The airplane then settled into the ground and the wing and propeller were damaged.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N50AL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N50AL), registered now, S/N 5067 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Pitts S2B
- Registry model: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-aerobatics-s-2b) (registry code 7220450) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5067
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Nobuyuki Tsugita
- Registered owner: Pitts S2b LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: SNS
- Airport: SNS, Salinas Muni, runway 26, 5,005 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 26; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 227 total, 100 in this make and model, 109 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SNS

## 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 19991011043169A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991011043169A), Oct 11, 1999: Pitts S2B, Salina, KS, No damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted]was practicing takeoff and landing in N50AL, a Pitts S-2B aircraft, at salinas airport, salinas, CA. When on the third practice…

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.