# NTSB LAX90LA103: Pitts S1T, N49351, Ramona, CA, February 23, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 23, 1990, 13:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Ramona, CA
- Coordinates: 33.069091, -116.829261 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.0691&lon=-116.8293&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 9, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 26744
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX90LA103
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/26744/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX90LA103

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Nose over, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED HE LANDED DOWNWIND AND THE AIRCRAFT WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN AS USUAL. A GUST OF WIND SHIFTED THE AIRCRAFT ABOUT 30 DEGREES AND THE AIRCRAFT PROCEEDED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE DIRT WAS SOFT AND THE WHEELS SUNK INTO THE GROUND WITH THE AIRCRAFT FLIPPING OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N49351](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49351), registered now, S/N 1054 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S1T
- Registry model: [Christen Industries PITTS S-1T](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-pitts-s-1t) (registry code 2210002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [NONE](https://openairdocs.org/engine/none) (registry code 00000, none) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1054
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Eaton, George W.
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Destination: L39
- Airport: L39, Ramona, runway 9, 4,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 528 total, 6 in this make and model, 502 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900223002629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900223002629A), Feb 23, 1990: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1, Ramona, CA, Substantial damage. Windshift on landing roll raised a wing. Lost control. Left the runway into soft dirt and nosed over.

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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