# NTSB LAX06LA260: Sicheneder Pitts S1S, N22JF, Tracy, CA, August 13, 2006 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 13, 2006, 13:15 local (20:15 UTC) - Place: Tracy, CA - Coordinates: 37.692501, -121.447219 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6925&lon=-121.4472&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 64321 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX06LA260 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/64321/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX06LA260 ## Probable cause The failure of the pilot to maintain directional control during the landing rollout. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis The pilot landed the airplane within the first 1,000 feet of the runway, just right of the centerline. During the rollout, the airplane encountered a dip in the runway, and the pilot felt the landing gear 'flex'. The airplane then veered to the left, and the pilot attempted to correct with right rudder and brake; however, the airplane swerved and nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right wing, upper left wing, and the vertical stabilizer. ## Factual narrative On August 13, 2006, at 1315 Pacific daylight time, an experimental Sicheneder Pitts S1S, N22JF, nosed over during landing at Tracy Municipal Airport, Tracy, California. The pilot/owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. The commercial pilot was not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The personal flight departed Byron Airport, Byron, California, at 1300. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot stated in a written report that as he approached Tracy, he checked the Automated Weather Observation System, and visually established contact with two other aircraft in the pattern. He then joined the pattern and established the airplane for a landing on runway 30. He performed a three point landing within the first 1,000 feet passed the threshold. He stated that he landed just right of the centerline, and during rollout encountered a dip in the runway. He felt the landing gear 'flex' and the airplane then veered to the left. He attempted to correct with right rudder and brake, but the airplane nosed over. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right wing, upper left wing, and the vertical stabilizer. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N22JF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N22JF), registered now, S/N H 478 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Sicheneder Pitts S1S - Registry model: [Sicheneder Frank J PITTS S1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/sicheneder-frank-j-pitts-s1s) (registry code 7220683) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: H478 - Airframe hours: 850 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James R. Marshall - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Condition, August 1, 2006, 10 hours before - Departed: C83, Byron, CA - Destination: TCY, Tracy Municipal, CA - Airport: TCY, Tracy Municipal, runway 30, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 35; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2006; seat: single; flight hours: 447 total, 401 as pilot in command, 71 in the last 90 days, 38 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: SCK, 16 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 20060813029279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20060813029279A), Aug 13, 2006: Aviat PITTSS1S, Tracy, CA, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot [privacy data omitted] pilot of a pitts (N22JF) ground looped and nose over landing at Tracy, CA. The aircraft damage was substantial. The… 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.