# NTSB LAX05CA153: Aerotek Pitts S-2A, N5300V, Tracy, CA, May 1, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 1, 2005, 12:41 local (19:41 UTC) - Place: Tracy, CA - Coordinates: 37.688888, -121.441665 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6889&lon=-121.4417&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 13, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 61406 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05CA153 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/61406/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05CA153 ## Probable cause the pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind conditions and failure to maintain directional control, which resulted in a ground loop and nose over. ## 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 - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis During landing, the pilot lost directional control, ground looped, and nosed over. The pilot stated that he departed the airport to go to the practice area. Upon returning to the airport, he used a slipping final for visibility, and to correct for a crosswind. When the wheels touched down, the airplane began to deviate left of center. The pilot corrected to the right, the left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane crossed to the right side of runway. The prop struck the runway and the airplane slowly nosed over. The pilot then turned off the fuel, master switch, and magnetos. Both occupants exited from the inverted airplane by sliding the canopy open. The closest official weather observation station was located 15 nautical miles (nm) northeast of the accident site and was reporting winds variable at 06 knots. The pilot reported that the winds at the airport were from 280 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Factual narrative On May 1, 2005, about 1241 Pacific daylight time, a Pitts S-2A, N5300V, ground looped during landing at Tracy, California. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The certified flight instructor (CFI) was not injured, and one passenger sustained minor injuries. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The local personal flight departed Tracy about 1150. Visual instrument meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot submitted a Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report (NTSB Form 6120.1/2). He stated that he departed the airport to go to the practice area. Upon returning to the airport, he used a slipping final for visibility, and to correct for a crosswind. When the wheels touched down, the airplane began to deviate left of center. The pilot corrected to the right, the left wing contacted the ground, and the airplane crossed to the right side of runway. The prop struck the runway and the airplane slowly nosed over. The pilot then turned off the fuel, master switch, and grounded the magnetos. Both occupants exited from the inverted airplane by sliding the canopy open. The closest official weather observation station was Stockton Metro (SCK), which is located 15 nautical miles (nm) northeast of the accident site. An aviation routine weather report (METAR) for Stockton was issued at 1255. It stated: winds variable at 06 knots; visibility 10 miles; skies clear; temperature 23 degrees Celsius; dew point 08 degrees Celsius; altimeter 30.05 inHg. The pilot reported that the weather at Tracy was: winds from 280 degrees at 12 knots; visibility 20 miles; skies 8,000 feet scattered; temperature 63 degrees Fahrenheit. The pilot stated that the airplane and engine had no mechanical failures or malfunctions during the flight. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N5300V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5300V), registered now, S/N 2262 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aerotek Pitts S-2A - Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 2262 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-AIE reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Team BARF LLC, doing business as Team BARF LLC - Registered owner: Team BARF LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Departed: KTCY, Tracy, CA - Destination: KTCY, Tracy, CA - Airport: KTCY, Tracy Municipal, runway 30, 3,680 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 1,582 total, 31 in this make and model, 1,559 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KSCK, 15 nm away ## 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 20050501008479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050501008479A), May 1, 2005: Aviat PITTSS2A, Tracy, CA, Minor damage. (-23) During landing at touch down aircraft began to drift left off of runway center line. Pilot applied right rudder to correct drift. Left wing contacted… 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.