# NTSB LAX82DA207: Pitts S-1 (Bartoe/Skyote), N25PB, Santa Cruz, CA, June 2, 1982 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: June 2, 1982, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Santa Cruz, CA - Coordinates: 37.04084, -122.099098 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.0408&lon=-122.0991&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 2, 1983 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 72532 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX82DA207 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/72532/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX82DA207 ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Midair collision, approach - vfr pattern - final approach - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28 REPORTED THAT HE WAS ON FINAL APPROACH AT APPROXIMATELY 50 FT AGL WHEN HIS AIRCRAFT WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AND BELOW BY A PITTS/SKYOTE S-1, N25PB. HE CONTINUED THE LANDING, BUT DURING THE LANDING ROLL, THE PIPER PA-28 VEERED OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT OF THE PITTS AIRCRAFT WENT AROUND AND LANDED WITH NO FURTHER INCIDENT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE PIPER PA-28 REVEALED 5 PROPELLER STRIKES ON THE LOWER FUSELAGE, 1STRIKE ON THE LEFT FLAP, AND STRIKES ON THE LEFT WHEEL FAIRING AND TIRE. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) DURING A LANDING APPROACH, THE PILOT OF A HOMEBUILT PITTS AIRCRAFT ENCOUNTERED THE CROSSWIND, ABORTED THE LANDING AND REENTERED ON DOWNWIND. AFTER TURNING FINAL, HE SAW A PIPER PA-28, N40951, DIRECTLY AHEAD. HE MOVED THE STICK FULL FORWARD AND TO THE LEFT TO AVOID A COLLISION. HOWEVER, THE PROPELLER OF THE PITTS STRUCK THE LOWER FUSELAGE, LEFT FLAP, AND LEFT WHEEL FAIRING AND TIRE OF THE PA-28. AFTER THE COLLISION THE PILOT OF THE PITTS AIRCRAFT WENT AROUND AND LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. THE PA-28 PILOT CONTINUED HIS LANDING, BUT THE PLANE SWERVED TO THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY DURING LANDING ROLL. A WITNESS STATED THAT THE COLLISION OCCURRED AT ABOUT 50 FT AGL. THE PILOT OF THE PIPER PA-28 REPORTED THAT HIS PLANE WAS STRUCK FROM BEHIND AND BELOW. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N25PB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N25PB-2020-03-27), registration cancelled 2020-03-27, S/N 001, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS S-1 (BARTOE/SKYOTE) (S-1 (BARTO) - Registry model: [Bartoe Otto E SKYOTE](https://openairdocs.org/model/bartoe-otto-e-skyote) (registry code 05653J2) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 1-001 - Airframe hours: 80 - Engines: LYCOMING O-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: No damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Peter Wright Bell - Registered owner: Peter Wright Bell - Departed: SRU, SANTA CRUZ, CA - Destination: SRU, SANTA CRUZ, CA - Airport: SRU, Skypark, runway 31, 2,520 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N40951](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N40951), registered now, S/N 28-7425193, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PIPER PA-28 - Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 7425193 - Airframe hours: 1244 - Engines: LYCOMING O-320-E30 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Robert Richard George - Registered owner: Robert Richard George - Departed: SRU, SANTA CRUZ, CA - Destination: SRU, SANTA CRUZ, CA - Airport: SRU, Skypark, runway 31, 2,520 × 60 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N25PB; age 29; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 4,500 total, 200 in this make and model, 4,000 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N40951; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 400 total, 34 in this make and model, 350 as pilot in command, 47 in the last 90 days, 34 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 10 knots - Visibility: 50 statute miles - Temperature: 149 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19820602026391A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820602026391A), Jun 2, 1982: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Santa Cruz, CA. Overtook N40951 from below and behind while both were on short final. Propeller damaged overtaken aircraft. - [Accident 19820602026392A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19820602026392A), Jun 2, 1982: Piper PA28*, Santa Cruz, CA, Substantial damage. Was struck from behind and below by overtaking N25PB. Propeller strikes damaged belly and gear. Landed safely. 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.