# NTSB LAX05LA086: Austin Pitts Special, N109WM, Coolidge, AZ, February 6, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: February 5, 2005, 17:00 local (Feb 6, 2005, 00:00 UTC) - Place: Coolidge, AZ - Coordinates: 32.935832, -111.426391 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9358&lon=-111.4264&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report May 30, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 60967 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX05LA086 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/60967/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX05LA086 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain an adequate altitude from the airport surface when performing an intentional low altitude flyby 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 - terrain condition - ground - low pass - initiated, pilot in command - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The airplane collided with terrain while the pilot was performing a low pass maneuver over the airport. After departure and upon reaching 100 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot configured the airplane in a 180-degree turn, in an effort to align the flight path parallel to the runway and perform a low pass over the airport. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane in close proximity to the airport surface, he experienced a loss of altitude, resulting in the underside of the right wing and right main landing gear simultaneously impacting the ramp's asphalt. The airplane collided with terrain and skidded several hundred feet. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. ## Factual narrative On February 5, 2005, about 1700 mountain standard time, an Austin Pitts Special, N109WM, collided with terrain during a low pass maneuver at the Coolidge Municipal Airport, Coolidge, Arizona. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. The private pilot, the sole occupant, sustained minor injuries; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal local flight departed Coolidge about 1630, with a planned destination of Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. During a telephone interview with a National Transportation Safety Board investigator, the pilot stated that after departing from runway 23, he continued his flight path in a southwesterly direction. Upon reaching 100 feet above ground level (agl), he maneuvered the airplane in a 180-degree turn, in an effort to align it parallel to the runway and perform a low pass over the airport. As the pilot maneuvered the airplane in close proximity to the airport surface, he experienced a loss of altitude, resulting in the underside of the right wing and right main landing gear simultaneously impacting the ramp's asphalt. The airplane collided with terrain and skidded several hundred feet, coming to rest upright, with the right wing still attached. The pilot reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane. As a result of impact forces, the airplane incurred damage to the right wing, cowling, and right landing gear. In a written statement, the pilot stated that he thought the accident might have been prevented if he had a better understanding of the side effects of certain medications he was consuming. He added that he had undergone a chemotherapy protocol from June to November 2004, and thereafter, has been medicated with hormone shots and various oral prescriptions. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Deputy Region Flight Surgeon conducted an investigation of the pilot's medical condition. He stated that after conducting a thorough review of the pilot's medical information (both historical and current), he did not identify any medical issues that may have contributed to the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N109WM (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Austin Pitts Special - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1973 - Airframe hours: 1562.54 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 1, 2003, 5.17 hours before - Departed: P08, Coolidge, AZ - Destination: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: P08, Coolidge Municipal Airport, runway 23, 5,528 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2003; seat: front; flight hours: 1,115 total, 729 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 29.77 inHg - Observed at: CGZ, 17 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 20050205003509A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050205003509A), Feb 5, 2005: Amtr PITTSSPECIAL, Collidge, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) Aircraft damage consisted of fuselage, lower right wing, main landing gear and propeller. Pilot stated he was downwind for departure from coolidge… 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.