# NTSB LAX95LA252: Pitts S-1S, N715L, Livermore, CA, July 12, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 12, 1995, 10:47 local (17:47 UTC) - Place: Livermore, CA - Coordinates: 37.679687, -121.750312 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.6797&lon=-121.7503&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 30, 1995 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29150 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX95LA252 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29150/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX95LA252 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to maintain runway alignment and subsequent collision with some bales of hay. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - other (contributing factor) ## Analysis AFTER A NORMAL THREE-POINT LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN DRIFTING TO THE LEFT AND DEPARTED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT STATED IN HER REPORT THAT SHE APPLIED HARD RIGHT RUDDER AND BRAKE WITHOUT SUCCESS. THE AIRCRAFT ENTERED A FURROW THAT PARALLELS THE RUNWAY AND COLLIDED WITH SOME TIGHTLY PACKED, HEAVY BALES OF HAY. EXAMINATION OF THE BRAKES AND FLIGHT CONTROLS FOUND NO DISCREPANCIES, NOR DID THE PILOT REPORT ANY TO THE FAA AFTERWARDS. THE PILOT TOLD THE FAA INSPECTOR THAT THE AIRCRAFT GOT AWAY FROM HER. ## Factual narrative On July 12, 1995, at 1047 hours Pacific daylight time, the pilot of an experimental Pitts S-1S, N715L, departed off the left side of runway 25R at Livermore Municipal Airport, Livermore, California. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time. The winds were reported from 230 degrees at 7 knots. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the pilot was not injured. The pilot departed an hour earlier for a local pleasure flight. According to the pilot, the aircraft began drifting to the left on rollout after a normal three-point landing. The aircraft did not respond to control inputs and the aircraft departed the runway. The aircraft proceeded parallel to the runway with the main landing gear wheels in a dirt furrow. The aircraft then collided with some tightly packed, heavy bales of hay from a recent mowing. The pilot reported to an Federal Aviation Administration inspector afterwards that there were no mechanical problems with the aircraft and that the aircraft got away from her. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N715L](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N715L), registered now, S/N 5-71, built 1978 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS S-1S - Registry model: [Leech-Jerome PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/leech-jerome-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 7220662) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 5-71 - Airframe hours: 678 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Carol A. Christian - Registered owner: Owen C. Bateson, Dc - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1995, 14 hours before - Departed: LVK - Airport: LVK, Livermore Municipal, runway 25R, 5,255 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 44; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 1,786 total, 5 in this make and model, 1,650 as pilot in command, 57 in the last 90 days, 18 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: LVK ## 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 19950712049329A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950712049329A), Jul 12, 1995: Amtr PITTSSPECIAL, Livermore, CA, Substantial damage. (-16) During landing at the lvk airport pilot lost control of aircraft and departed the runway striking several hay bales. [privacy data omitted] Grass between… 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.