# NTSB LAX84LA331: Pitts S2A, N6JP, Redlands, CA, June 3, 1984

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 3, 1984, 12:07 local (19:07 UTC)
- Place: Redlands, CA
- Coordinates: 34.000976, -117.120277 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.0010&lon=-117.1203&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24294
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX84LA331
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24294/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX84LA331

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power, takeoff - roll/run
  - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot of other aircraft
- On ground/water collision with object, takeoff - roll/run
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - planning/decision - improper, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - object - aircraft moving on ground (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot of other aircraft (cause)
  - visual lookout - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

THE ACFT WERE TO PERFORM & THE TWO PLTS AGREED TO A STAGGERED TAKEOFF WITH THE 2ND PLT COUNTING TO 5 PRIOR TO COMMENCINGHIS TAKEOFF. THEY POSITIONED THEMSELVES ABREAST OF EACH OTHER ON THE RWY. THE PLT OF N65P COMMENCED HER TAKEOFF FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE 75 FT WIDE RWY. UPON REACHING FULL THROTTLE, SHE EXPERIENCED A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER. SHE RETARDED HER THROTTLE & THE ENG BEGAN TO OPERATE PROPERLY. AS SHE WAS ABOUT TO REAPPLY FULL POWER, HER ACFT WAS STRUCK BY N80053. THE PLT OF N80053 HAD COUNTED TO 5 AFTER N65P BEGAN ITS TAKEOFF ROLL. AFTER ABOUT 50 FT OF THE TAKEOFFGROUND RUN, IN A 3-POINT ATTITUDE, N80053 COLLIDED WITH N65P. THE COLLISION WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. THERE IS NO FORWARD VISIBILITY IN A PITTS S2A WHEN THE TAIL WHEEL IS ON THE GROUND.

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

THE ACFT WERE TO PERFORM & THE TWO PLTS AGREED TO A STAGGERED TAKEOFF WITH THE SECOND PLT COUNTING TO 5 PRIOR TO COMMENCING HIS TAKEOFF. THEY POSITIONED THEMSELVES ABREAST OF EACH OTHER ON THE RWY. THE PLT OF N6JP COMMENCED HER TAKEOFF FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE 75 FT WIDE RWY. UPON REACHING FULL THROTTLE, SHE EXPERIENCED A MOMENTARY LOSS OF POWER. SHE RETARDED THE THROTTLE & THE ENG BEGAN TO OPERATE PROPERLY. AS SHE WAS ABOUT TO APPLY FULL POWER, HER ACFT WASSTRUCK BY N80053. THE PLT OF N80053 HAD COUNTED TO 5 AFTER N6JP BEGAN ITS TAKEOFF ROLL. AFTER ABOUT 50 FT OF THE TAKEOFFGROUND RUN, IN A 3-POINT ATTITUDE, N80053 COLLIDED WITH N6JP. THE COLLISION WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RWY. THERE IS NO FORWARD VISIBILITY IN A PITTS S2A WHEN THE TAIL WHEEL IS ON THE GROUND.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N6JP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6JP-2007-04-16), registration cancelled 2007-04-16, S/N 2052, built 1973 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S2A
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2052-73
- Airframe hours: 900
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Suzan G. Porter
- Airport: L12, Redlands Municipal, runway 26, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N80053](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N80053), registered now, S/N 2111, built 1975 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S2A
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 2111-75
- Airframe hours: 670
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert W. Porter
- Airport: L12, Redlands Municipal, runway 26, 4,500 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N6JP; age 46; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,250 total, 360 in this make and model, 2,080 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N80053; age 50; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 10,150 total, 1,005 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 80 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,000 ft overcast
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 55 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SBD, 5 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 19840603040521A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19840603040521A), Jun 3, 1984: Child S2APITTS, Redlands, CA, Substantial damage. Overtook and collided with the lead pitts N65P during a formation takeoff. Lead pitts engine had hesitated briefly.

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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