# NTSB LAX96LA020: Pitts Special S-1C, N9060N, San Carlos, CA, October 24, 1995 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: October 24, 1995, 08:06 local (15:06 UTC) - Place: San Carlos, CA - Coordinates: 37.4897, -122.260826 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.4897&lon=-122.2608&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 29, 1996 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29316 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA020 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29316/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA020 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudged landing approach, failure to achieve the proper touchdown point, and his delayed decision to abort the landing. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - aborted - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause) - aborted landing - delayed, pilot in command (cause) - In flight collision with object, landing - aborted - object - other - In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled ## Analysis The pilot reported that he touched down just past the tower (midfield on the 2,600-foot-long runway) and realized that he would be unable to stop before reaching the end of the runway. He applied full throttle but did not get an immediate response. After some delay he heard the engine accelerate, but he was unable to avoid striking an 8-foot-high pile of rocks about 200 feet from the end of the runway. After striking the rocks, the aircraft descended until impacting the water in an inverted attitude about 800 feet from the end of the runway. The aircraft and engine were examined and no discrepancies were found. ## Factual narrative On October 24, 1995, at 0806 hours Pacific daylight time, a Pitts Special S-1C, N9060N, collided with rocks and water during a go-around at San Carlos airport, San Carlos, California. The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was returning from a local personal flight when the accident occurred. The flight originated in San Carlos at 0745. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The certificated private pilot reported that he touched down just past the tower (midfield on the 2,600-foot-long runway), and realized that he would be unable to stop before reaching the end of the runway. He applied full throttle but did not get an immediate response. After some delay he heard the engine accelerate, but he was unable to avoid striking an 8-foot-high pile of rocks about 200 feet from the end of the runway. After striking the rocks, the aircraft descended until impacting the water in an inverted attitude about 800 feet from the end of the runway. The pilot reported that he had difficulty in egressing the aircraft due to his parachute snagging on the canopy. The aircraft and engine were examined by FAA inspectors from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office. No discrepancies were found. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N9060N](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N9060N-2017-06-30), registration cancelled 2017-06-30, S/N 18, built 1967 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: PITTS SPECIAL S-1C - Registry model: [Pitts Special S-1C](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-special-s-1c) (registry code 72202UM) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-290 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-290-series) (registry code 41506, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 18 - Airframe hours: 330 - Engines: LYCOMING O-290 125 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kevin Baranski-Walker - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 1995, 18 hours before - Departed: SQL - Airport: SQL, San Carlos, runway 12, 2,600 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 215 total, 18 in this make and model, 137 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 50 °F, dew point 43 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SQL ## 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 19951024034309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19951024034309A), Oct 24, 1995: Amtrpt PITTSSPECS1C, San Carlos, CA, Substantial damage. Too high and fast to land. Began belated go around. Struck rocks off end runway. 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.