# NTSB LAX98LA150: Pitts S-2B, N6027V, Greenfield, CA, April 23, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 23, 1998, 11:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Greenfield, CA - Coordinates: 36.259883, -121.370933 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2599&lon=-121.3709&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 6, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 30080 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX98LA150 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30080/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX98LA150 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control. A related factor was the proximity of high brush located on both sides of the runway. ## 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor) ## Analysis After landing the aircraft veered right of centerline. The right wing struck high brush and ground looped. The pilot noted no mechanical malfunctions. The dirt strip is approximately 30 to 50 feet wide and brush located on both sides of the runway was approximately 2 to 4 feet tall. ## Factual narrative On April 23, 1998, at 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a Pitts S-2B, N6027V, struck high brush and ground looped after landing at Metz field, a private dirt strip located in Greenfield, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the commercial rated pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the winds were from 100 degrees at 10 to 15 knots, and that he was landing to the south. After touchdown the aircraft veered to the right of the dirt strip and struck high brush. The pilot stated that the right wing caught on the brush and the aircraft ground looped. He reported that there were no mechanical abnormalities noted with the aircraft. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office reported that the dirt strip is approximately 30 to 50 feet wide. He further reported that on either side of the runway there is brush that is approximately 2 to 4 feet tall. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6027V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6027V-2015-12-15), registration cancelled 2015-12-15, S/N 5117, built 1987 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Pitts S-2B - Registry model: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-aerobatics-s-2b) (registry code 7220450) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 5117 - Airframe hours: 1111 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Gregory R. Fretz - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 1998 - Airport: Private Dirt Strip, runway 13, 3,500 × 30 ft, dirt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 970 total, 800 in this make and model, 940 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 100° at 10 knots, gusting 15 - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F ## 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 19980423015479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980423015479A), Apr 23, 1998: Child S2BPITTS, Greenfield, CA, Substantial damage. Veered off runway landing. Struck brush and ground looped. (.4)on April 23, 1998, at 1100 hours pacific daylight time, a pitts S-2B, N6027V, struck high brush… ## Other investigations on N6027V (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN09CA287](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN09CA287), May 9, 2009: Pitts Aerobatics S-2B (N6027V), Muskogee, OK, substantial damage. Probable cause: Inadequate supervision by the certified flight instructor, resulting in a delayed stall recovery attempt. 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.