# NTSB LAX94LA194: Pitts S-2A, N54TA, Kahuku, HI, April 17, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 17, 1994, 12:46 local (22:46 UTC) - Place: Kahuku, HI - Coordinates: 21.679121, -157.939956 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=21.6791&lon=-157.9400&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 1 fatal - Status: Completed, report April 5, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 28722 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX94LA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28722/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX94LA194 ## Probable cause THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DUE TO SPATIAL DISORIENTATION WHILE PERFORMING AN ACROBATIC ROUTINE. A FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT WAS THE LOW ALTITUDE AT WHICH THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING THE ACROBATIC MANEUVERS. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - aerobatics - intentional, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - spatial disorientation, pilot in command (cause) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor) - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled - terrain condition - water ## Analysis A PITTS S-2A COLLIDED WITH THE SURFACE OF THE OCEAN DURING AN ACROBATIC DISPLAY. THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING A WEEKLY AIR SHOW FOR GUESTS OF A WATERFRONT HOTEL. THE AIRPLANE WAS DOING SLOW ROLLS ALONG THE SHORELINE AT AN ALTITUDE OF 200 TO 300 FEET. AFTER COMPLETING TWO ROLLS, THE AIRPLANE SLOWLY ROLLED INVERTED AND DESCENDED INTO THE WATER IN AN ARCING FLIGHT PATH. THE AIRPLANE'S ENGINE WAS HEARD TO ACCELERATE SECONDS BEFORE HITTING THE WATER. THERE WERE NO REPORTS OF MECHANICAL FAILURE OR MALFUNCTIONS BY WITNESSES. THE PRESIDENT OF THE COMPANY THAT EMPLOYED THE PILOT INDICATED THAT IN THE PAST HE HAD TALKED TO THE PILOT ABOUT THE ACROBATIC MANEUVERS IN THE SHOW. ACCORDING TO THE PRESIDENT, THE PILOT HAD STATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT, 'YOU SHOULD NEVER DO MORE THAN 2 ROLLS AT A TIME BECAUSE YOU WOULD BECOME TOO EASILY DISORIENTED.' ## Factual narrative On April 17, 1994, at 1246 hours Hawaiian standard time, a Pitts S-2A, N54TA, collided with the surface of the Pacific Ocean near Kahuku, Hawaii, during an acrobatic display. The airplane was being operated by Tsunami Aviation Hawaii, Inc., Kailua, Hawaii. The airplane was destroyed by impact forces. The certificated commercial pilot was fatally injured. The flight originated from Dillingham Field, Mokuleia, Hawaii, about 1230 hours. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The pilot was performing a weekly air show for guests of the Turtle Bay Hilton Hotel. According to witnesses, the airplane was doing slow rolls along the shoreline. After completing two rolls at an altitude of 200 to 300 feet, the airplane slowly rolled inverted and descended into the water in an arcing flight path. The witnesses heard the airplane's engine accelerate, followed by the airplane hitting the water. One witness, a surfer, had an unobstructed view of the accident. From his vantage point on the water, the surfer indicated the airplane came straight down from about 200 feet. He did not think there was a mechanical problem with the plane. The president of Tsunami Aviation Hawaii, Inc., indicated that the pilot was experienced in performing the show, having completing about 45 shows in the past year. The president indicated that in the past he had talked to the pilot about the acrobatic maneuvers in the show. According to the president, the pilot had stated on several occasions that, "you should never do more than 2 rolls at a time because you would become too easily disoriented." ## Aircraft - Registration: [N54TA](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N54TA-1996-08-27), registration cancelled 1996-08-27, S/N 5271 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS S-2A - Registry model: [Aviat PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210308) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5271 - Airframe hours: 312 - Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Tsunami Aviation Hawaii, Inc - Registered owner: Tsunami Aviation Hawaii, Inc - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: 100 hour, February 2, 1994, 60 hours before - Departed: HDH, MOKULEIA, HI - Destination: HDH, HI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; toxicology performed; flight hours: 5,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 45° at 15 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none ## 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 19940417007859A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940417007859A), Apr 17, 1994: Child S2APITTS, Kahuku, HI, Destroyed, 1 fatal. Indicates pilot became disorienatated doing slow rolls for airshow performance over ocean. Dived inverted into water 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.