# NTSB LAX03CA287: Aviat Pitts S-2C, N57BC, Mountain View, CA, September 13, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 13, 2003, 15:45 local (22:45 UTC)
- Place: Mountain View, CA
- Coordinates: 37.415279, -122.048332
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4153&lon=-122.0483&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report November 25, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Federal Aviation Administration
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57935
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03CA287
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57935/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03CA287

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate clearance with the runway during a low altitude aerobatic maneuver.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - low altitude flight/maneuver - attempted, pilot in command
  - terrain condition - runway
  - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot dragged a wing while performing during an air show.  As the pilot was executing a series of low altitude slow rolls, about 35 feet above ground level (agl), the left wing contacted the runway.  The airplane then impacted the runway inverted and slid to a stop.  No mechanical malfunctions were reported prior to the mishap.

## Factual narrative

On September 13, 2003, at 1545 Pacific daylight time, an Aviat Pitts S-2C acrobatic biplane, N57BC, dragged a wing while performing during an air show at Moffett Federal Airfield, Mountain View, California.  The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot sustained minor injuries.  The flight departed Moffett at 1540 for the purpose of performing in an airshow.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.

In a written statement, the pilot reported that he was an air show performer at the Moffett Field Air Expo.  While executing a series of low altitude slow rolls, about 35 feet above ground level (agl), the left wing contacted the runway.  The airplane then impacted the runway inverted and slid to a stop.  The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions prior to the mishap.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57BC](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N57BC-2003-12-01), registration cancelled 2003-12-01, S/N 6004, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aviat Pitts S-2C
- Registry model: [Sky International S-2C](https://openairdocs.org/model/sky-international-s-2c) (registry code 8130000) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 6004
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Air race/show, Part 91
- Operator: William E. Cornick
- Registered owner: The Cornick Family Trust
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: NUQ, Mountain View, CA
- Destination: NUQ, Mountain View, CA
- Airport: NUQ, Moffett Field, runway 32

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 70; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 21,605 total, 598 in this make and model, 125 in the last 90 days, 52 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day

## 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 20030913022739A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030913022739A), Sep 13, 2003: Ayres S2C, Mountain View, CA, Destroyed. (-23) On September 13, 2003, at approximately 1545 local time, the pilot of a pitts S-2C was an air show peformer participating in a "squirrel cage"…

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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