# NTSB LAX85LA342: Pitts S-2A, N88M, Van Nuys, CA, August 3, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 3, 1985, 16:30 local (23:30 UTC)
- Place: Van Nuys, CA
- Coordinates: 34.189689, -118.489067 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.1897&lon=-118.4891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24793
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85LA342
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24793/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85LA342

## Sequence of events

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

- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - qualification, pilot in command
- In flight collision with object, takeoff - initial climb
  - object - airport facility

## Analysis

AFTER PRACTICING ACROBATICS THE PLT RETURNED TO THE ARPT FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRACTICING LANDINGS. HE MADE THE FIRST ONE SUCCESSFULLY, BUT FLARED OUT HIGH ON THE SECOND LANDING. THE ACFT BOUNCED 'HARD' ON THE RWY TWICE, & THE PLT ELECTED TO GO AROUND. AFTER APPLYING ENG POWER, THE ACFT DRIFTED LEFT, OVERFLEW THE RUNWAY'S EDGE & COLLIDED WITH A SIGN. THE PLT CONTINUED WITH THE GO AROUND & LANDED WITHOUT FURTHER MISHAP. THE PLT REPORTED HAVING 354 TOTAL FLIGHT HOURS OF WHICH 11.7 WERE LOGGED AS PIC IN THE PITTS MODEL OF ACFT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N88M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N88M), registered now, S/N 2131 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: 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: 2131
- Airframe hours: 1539
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO360A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Alpha Aviation, Inc., doing business as Alpha Air
- Registered owner: Allan Berenstein
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 1985, 30 hours before
- Departed: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Destination: VNY, VAN NUYS, CA
- Airport: VNY, Van Nuys, runway 16L, 4,000 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 24; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 354 total, 28 in this make and model, 250 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 34 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: VNY

## 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 19850803036919A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850803036919A), Aug 3, 1985: Child S2APITTS, Van Nuys, CA, Substantial damage. Bounced on landing. Started a go around and struck a taxiway sign after becoming airborne. 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.

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