# NTSB LAX96LA336: Pitts S-1S, N230MP, Reno, NV, September 13, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: September 13, 1996, 09:15 local (16:15 UTC) - Place: Reno, NV - Coordinates: 39.709613, -119.820434 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.7096&lon=-119.8204&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 31, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29561 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA336 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29561/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA336 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The pilot of N230MP inadequate visual lookout while landing on a runway occupied by another known aircraft. A factor in the accident was the procedure to allow simultaneous landings by aircraft on the same runway. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The pilot of N230MP inadequate visual lookout while landing on a runway occupied by another known aircraft. A factor in the accident was the procedure to allow simultaneous landings by aircraft on the same runway. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), landing - roll - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - procedures/directives - inadequate, other institution (contributing factor) - Collision between aircraft (other than midair), taxi - from landing - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot of other aircraft (cause) - procedures/directives - inadequate, other institution (contributing factor) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The two Pitts S-1S aircraft collided after landing on runway 26. The airplanes were participating in the Reno Air Races and had completed a biplane class heat race under a waiver approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot of N230MP indicated that he observed N15HR about 0.25 miles ahead of his position while on final approach to the runway. He said N15HR touched down on the right side of the runway and he planned to touch down on the left side. The pilot then indicated he lost sight of N15HR while his airplane was floating during the landing flare. A few seconds after a three point touchdown the pilot saw N15HR on his right side and was unable to avoid the collision. The pilot of N15HR indicated after the landing roll she turned left while taxiing about 5 miles per hour to exit the runway and was struck from behind. The pilot also indicated before she turned she cleared left and did not see any other airplane on the runway. Procedures in place for the air race provided for the simultaneous landing of two biplanes on the same runway to facilitate the show. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The two Pitts S-1S aircraft collided after landing on runway 26. The airplanes were participating in the Reno Air Races and had completed a biplane class heat race under a waiver approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot of N230MP indicated that he observed N15HR about 0.25 miles ahead of his position while on final approach to the runway. He said N15HR touched down on the right side of the runway and he planned to touch down on the left side. The pilot then indicated he lost sight of N15HR while his airplane was floating during the landing flare. A few seconds after a three point touchdown the pilot saw N15HR on his right side and was unable to avoid the collision. The pilot of N15HR indicated after the landing roll she turned left while taxiing about 5 miles per hour to exit the runway and was struck from behind. The pilot also indicated before she turned she cleared left and did not see any other airplane on the runway. Procedures in place for the air race provided for the simultaneous landing of two biplanes on the same runway to facilitate the show. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) On September 13, 1996, at 0915 hours Pacific daylight time, two Pitts S-1S aircraft, N230MP and N15HR, collided after landing on runway 26 at the Reno-Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage and neither pilot was injured. The airplanes were participating in the Reno Air Races and had completed a biplane class heat race under a waiver approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot of N230MP indicated that he observed N15HR about 0.25 miles ahead of his position while on final approach to the runway. He said N15HR touched down on the right side of the runway and he planned to touch down on the left side. The pilot of N230MP then indicated he lost sight of N15HR while his airplane was floating during the landing flare. A few seconds after a three point touchdown the pilot saw N15HR on his right side and was unable to avoid the collision. The pilot of N15HR indicated after the landing roll she turned left while taxiing about 5 miles per hour to exit the runway and was struck from behind. The pilot of N15HR also indicated before she turned she cleared left and did not see any other airplane on the runway. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) On September 13, 1996, at 0915 hours Pacific daylight time, two Pitts S-1S aircraft, N230MP and N15HR, collided after landing on runway 26 at the Reno-Stead Airport, Reno, Nevada. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage and neither pilot was injured. The airplanes were participating in the Reno Air Races and had completed a biplane class heat race under a waiver approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time. The pilot of N230MP indicated that he observed N15HR about 0.25 miles ahead of his position while on final approach to the runway. He said N15HR touched down on the right side of the runway and he planned to touch down on the left side. The pilot of N230MP then indicated he lost sight of N15HR while his airplane was floating during the landing flare. A few seconds after a three point touchdown the pilot saw N15HR on his right side and was unable to avoid the collision. The pilot of N15HR indicated after the landing roll she turned left while taxiing about 5 miles per hour to exit the runway and was struck from behind. The pilot of N15HR also indicated before she turned left she cleared left and did not see any other airplane on the runway. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N230MP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N230MP), registered now, S/N 1001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pitts S-1S - Registry model: [Penketh Mike PITTS S1](https://openairdocs.org/model/penketh-mike-pitts-s1) (registry code 72207B8) (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: 1001 - Airframe hours: 205 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Lo, Jeffrey G. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, February 1, 1996, 20 hours before - Departed: 4SD - Airport: 4SD, Reno Stead, runway 26, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N15HR](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N15HR-2003-11-04), registration cancelled 2003-11-04, S/N 4, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pitts S-1S - Registry model: [Ross PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/ross-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 7220653) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming O&VO-360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-o-vo-360-series) (registry code 41514, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: 4 - Airframe hours: 700 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Part 91 - Registered owner: Discovery Aviation, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1996, 10 hours before - Departed: 4SD - Airport: 4SD, Reno Stead, runway 26, 7,600 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N230MP; age 32; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 440 total, 120 in this make and model, 400 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N15HR; age 34; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 4,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 3,800 as pilot in command, 225 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 260° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,500 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: RNO, 13 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 19960913028362A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960913028362A), Sep 13, 1996: Amtr PITTSS1, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Struck aircraft N15HR from behind while landing. (.19) on September 13, 1996, at 0915 hours pacific daylight time, two pitts S-1S aircraft, N230MP and N15HR,… - [Accident 19960913028361A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960913028361A), Sep 13, 1996: Amtr PITTSSPECS1S, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Taxiing for takeoff when it was struck from behind by N230MP that just landed. (.19) on September 13, 1996, at 0915 hours pacific daylight time, two pitts S-1S… 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.