# NTSB LAX99LA179: Hamilton Pitts Special SC-1, N23NL, Sacramento, CA, May 11, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 11, 1999, 09:14 local (16:14 UTC) - Place: Sacramento, CA - Coordinates: 38.510364, -121.490196 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5104&lon=-121.4902&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 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46270 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA179 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46270/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA179 ## Probable cause The pilot's misjudged flare, which led to bounced landing, and his failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft during the bounced landing recovery. ## 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 - flare - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that he began the flare higher than normal and the airplane subsequently stalled about 3 to 4 feet above the runway surface. After the initial bounce, the aircraft drifted left and contacted the surface again. The left wing contacted the pavement and the aircraft ground looped. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway. The Sacramento weather observation facility reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 310 degrees at 6 knots. ## Factual narrative On May 11, 1999, at 0914 hours Pacific daylight time, an amateur built experimental Hamilton Pitts Special SC-1, N23NL, nosed over while landing at the Sacramento Executive Airport, Sacramento, California. The aircraft, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated at the Sacramento Executive Airport about 0800, and was being conducted as a local area personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he setup the final approach to runway 20. He stated that he began the flare higher than normal and the aircraft subsequently stalled about 3 to 4 feet above the runway surface. After the initial bounce, the aircraft drifted left and contacted the surface again. The left wing contacted the pavement and the aircraft ground looped. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway. The Sacramento weather observation facility reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 310 degrees at 6 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N23NL](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N23NL-2009-06-23), registration cancelled 2009-06-23, S/N RH1, built 1972 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hamilton PITTS SPECIAL SC-1 (PITTS SPEC) - Registry model: [Hamilton PITTS SPECIAL SC-1](https://openairdocs.org/model/hamilton-pitts-special-sc-1) (registry code 722024Y) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: RH1 - Airframe hours: 359 - Engines: Lycoming O-320-A2B 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Scott Monroe - Registered owner: Michael Mackes - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 1999, 2 hours before - Departed: SAC - Airport: SAC, Sacramento Executive, runway 20, 5,503 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 39; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: helicopter, airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: center; flight hours: 3,748 total, 3 in this make and model, 2,910 as pilot in command, 202 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SAC ## 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 19990511004969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990511004969A), May 11, 1999: Amtr PITTSSPECSC1, Sacramento, CA, Substantial damage. (.4)The pilot reported that he began the flare higher than normal and the airplane subsequently stalled about 3 to 4 feet above the runway surface. After the… 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.