# NTSB LAX03CA246: Maysmike Pitts S1S, N25SF, Livermore, CA, July 13, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 13, 2003, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Livermore, CA - Coordinates: 37.693332, -121.820274 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6933&lon=-121.8203&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Oakland FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 57580 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA246 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57580/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA246 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The airplane ground looped during the landing roll. After practicing touch-and-go's at another airport, the pilot returned for landing. The touchdown was normal except for a "slight bounce." During the roll out, the left wing lifted and the airplane turned slightly to the left. The pilot applied "rudder correction with [the] stick full back." The airplane continued to turn left and he attempted differential braking; however, the airplane continued to turn left. The airplane came to rest facing about 90 degrees left of the runway heading. The right wing sustained a broken spar and broken ribs, and the right landing gear was bent during the turn. In a post accident examination, all flight controls functioned properly and no preimpact anomalies were found. The winds reported at 0953 were 240 degree at 6 knots. The winds reported at 1053 were 230 degrees at 7 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 13, 2003, about 1030 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Maysmike Pitts S1S, N25SF, ground looped during the landing roll out at Livermore Airport (LVK), Livermore, California. The pilot was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The flight departed Livermore about 0900 for the local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. In a written statement, the pilot reported after practicing touch-and-go's at Byron Airport (C83), Byron, California, he returned for landing at Livermore, runway 25. The touchdown was normal except for a "slight bounce." During the roll out, the left wing lifted and the airplane turned slightly to the left. The pilot applied "rudder correction with [the] stick full back." The airplane continued to turn left and he attempted differential braking; however, the airplane continued to turn left. The airplane came to rest facing about 90 degrees left of the runway heading. The right wing sustained a broken spar and broken ribs, and the right landing gear was bent during the turn. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector examined the airplane. All flight controls functioned properly and no preimpact anomalies were found. The winds reported by the Livermore Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) at 0953 were 240 degree at 6 knots. The winds reported at 1053 were 230 degrees at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N25SF](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25SF-2018-01-12), registration cancelled 2018-01-12, S/N MLM-001, built 1988 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Maysmike Pitts S1S - Registry model: [Maysmike PITTS S1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/maysmike-pitts-s1s) (registry code 72206CU) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: MLM-001 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360 Ser reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Douglas Hiranaka - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: KLVK, Livermore, CA - Airport: KLVK, Livermore, runway 25 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 40; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 277 total, 39 in this make and model, 8 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.10 inHg - Observed at: KLVK ## 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 20030713018469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030713018469A), Jul 13, 2003: Aviat PITTSS1S, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) Winds were reported to be from 230 degrees at 7 knots. The touchdown was normal on runway 25. The pilot says that the winds shifted and the left wing… 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.