# NTSB LAX95LA012: Pitts S-2B, N15KR, Chandler, AZ, October 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 18, 1994, 17:45 local (Oct 19, 1994, 00:45 UTC)
- Place: Chandler, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.239543, -111.780593 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2395&lon=-111.7806&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 16, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 28965
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA012
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/28965/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA012

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain proper alignment with the runway during landing rollout.  A contributing factor was sun glare.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - proper alignment - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - airport sign/marker

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF RUNWAY 22L CENTERLINE AT A SPEED WHICH WAS 'A LITTLE EXCESSIVE.' THE RUNWAY WAS 4,850 FEET LONG BY 75 FEET WIDE. THE AIRPLANE BOUNCED THREE TIMES AS IT SLOWLY VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT FURTHER REPORTED THAT HE COULD NOT CLEARLY SEE BECAUSE HE WAS 'BLINDED BY THE COMBINATION OF SUN AND BUGS.' WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REALIGN THE AIRPLANE WITH THE RUNWAY, THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED A TAXIWAY SIGN. THE POSITION OF THE SUN AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT WAS DETERMINED TO BE ABOUT 20 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY HEADING AND 1.4 DEGREES ABOVE THE HORIZON.

## Factual narrative

On October 18, 1994, at 1745 mountain standard time, a Pitts Aerobatics S-2B, N15KR, operated by Chandler Air Service, collided with a taxiway sign during landing rollout at the Chandler Municipal Airport, Chandler, Arizona.  The airplane was substantially damaged, and neither the private pilot nor the passenger was injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the personal flight which originated from Chandler at 1715.

The pilot reported that the airplane touched down on the right side of runway 22L's centerline, and at a speed which was "a little excessive."  The runway was 4,850 feet long by 75 feet wide.  The airplane bounced three times as it slowly veered off the runway.  The pilot further reported that, at the time, he could not clearly see because he was "blinded by the combination of sun and bugs."  While attempting to realign the airplane with the runway, the airplane impacted a taxiway sign.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N15KR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: Pitts S-2B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5031
- Airframe hours: 1854
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540-O4AS 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Chandler Air Service
- Registered owner: Pitts Leasing Company
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Provisional (Special); Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, September 16, 1994, 46 hours before
- Airport: P10, Chandler Municipal, runway 22L, 4,850 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 760 total, 32 in this make and model, 675 as pilot in command, 21 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 160° at 1 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: P10

## 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 19941018035049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19941018035049A), Oct 18, 1994: Child S2BPITTS, Chandler, AZ, Substantial damage. Bounced landing. Blinded by sun and bugs on windshield. Veered off runway. Struck taxiway sign.

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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