# NTSB LAX86LA034: Aerotek Pitts S-2A, N42XX, Chandler, AZ, November 6, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 6, 1985, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.23962, -111.779418 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2396&lon=-111.7794&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 3 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 25014
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX86LA034
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/25014/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX86LA034

## Sequence of events

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

- Midair collision, landing - flare/touchdown
  - visual lookout - conflicting, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - diverted attention, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual/aural perception, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - acft/equip inadequate,visual restriction, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - acft/equip inadequate,visual restriction, dual student (cause)
- Midair collision, landing - flare/touchdown
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause)

## Analysis (aircraft 2)

DURING A DUAL INSTRUCTIONAL FLIGHT THE CFI STATED THAT HE WAS LOOKING FOR TRAFFIC WHILE MONITORING HIS STUDENT'S PERFORMANCE. THE CFI FAILED TO OBSERVE THAT AN ACFT WAS AHEAD OF HIM IN THE TRAFFIC PATTERN. THAT ACFT WAS AT A LOWER ALTITUDE & WAS ON SHORT FINAL APPROACH FOR THE RWY ON WHICH THE CFI INTENDED TO LAND. THE CFI'S ACFT FLARED FOR LANDING ON TOP OF & COLLIDED WITH THE ACFT WHICH HAD JUST TOUCHED DOWN.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N42XX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N42XX-2007-03-26), registration cancelled 2007-03-26, S/N 2166, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS S-2A
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-360-series) (registry code 41522, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2166
- Airframe hours: 629
- Engines: LYCOMING AE10-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Chandler Air Service, Inc.
- Registered owner: Pitts Leasing Co.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 1985, 62 hours before
- Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Destination: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: P10, Chandler Muni, runway 22, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N2315V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2315V), registered now, S/N 38-82A0085 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PIPER PA-38-112
- Registry model: [Piper PA-38-112](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-38-112) (registry code 7103812) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-235 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-235-series) (registry code 41505, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 38-82A0085
- Airframe hours: 1797
- Engines: LYCOMING O-235-L2C 112 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Minor damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: Chandler Air Service, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Utility; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: AAIP, September 26, 1985, 78 hours before
- Departed: P10, CHANDLER, AZ
- Airport: P10, Chandler Muni, runway 22, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N42XX; age 41; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 13,000 total, 200 in this make and model, 12,800 as pilot in command, 260 in the last 90 days, 90 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N2315V; age 20; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: left; flight hours: 64 total, 64 in this make and model, 26 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 30 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19851106058261A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851106058261A), Nov 6, 1985: Child S2APITTS, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. During landing flare, aircraft struck 2315V that was on the runway. Sun, radio calls and plane design were factors.
- [Accident 19851106058262A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19851106058262A), Nov 6, 1985: Piper PA38112, Chandler, AZ, Minor damage. Aircraft was struck during rollout by landing N42XX.plane on rollout had failed to make proper pattern radio calls.

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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