# NTSB LAX99LA193: Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S, N93J, Merced, CA, May 22, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 22, 1999, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Merced, CA - Coordinates: 37.349868, -120.420959 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.3499&lon=-120.4210&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious - Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46390 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA193 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46390/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA193 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper/inadequate use of the rudders during the attempted recovery from a bounced landing and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, go-around (vfr) - recovery from bounced landing - attempted, pilot in command - rudder - improper use of, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings. He stated that on the last landing the aircraft landed hard and bounced. He decided to do a go-around and added power. The pilot reported that the power came up and the engine sounded normal; however, the aircraft didn't climb. The airplane then veered about 10 to 20 degrees to the left. The pilot stated that he realized something was wrong and cut the power. The wingtips and propeller impacted the ground and the aircraft came to rest upright about 150 feet northwest of the 1,000-foot runway marker. The pilot reported that he has no memory of the events following the reduction of power until another person arrived at the accident site. There were no witnesses to the accident; however, another pilot heard the crash and helped the pilot egress from the aircraft. The winds were reported to be variable at 4 knots at the time of the accident. ## Factual narrative On May 22, 1999, at 1430 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S, N93J, ground looped on landing at the Merced, California, airport. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The local area personal flight originated at the Merced airport about 1400, and was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings to runway 30. He stated that on the last landing the aircraft landed hard and bounced. He decided to do a go-around and added power. The pilot reported that the power came up and the engine sounded normal; however, the aircraft didn't climb. The airplane then veered about 10 to 20 degrees to the left. The pilot stated that he realized something was wrong and cut the power. The wingtips and propeller impacted the ground and the aircraft came to rest upright about 150 feet northwest of the 1,000-foot runway marker. The pilot reported that he has no memory of the events following the reduction of power until another person arrived at the accident site. There were no witnesses to the accident; however, another pilot heard the crash and helped the pilot egress from the aircraft. The winds were reported to be variable at 4 knots at the time of the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: N93J (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S (PITTS SPEC) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1-0030 - Airframe hours: 742 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Tom King Harris - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, December 6, 1998, 5 hours before - Departed: MCE - Airport: MCE, Merced Muni/Mcready Field, runway 30, 5,903 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 63; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 2,222 total, 140 in this make and model, 2,222 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 4 knots - Visibility: 6 statute miles - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MCE ## 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 19990522022439A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990522022439A), May 22, 1999: Amtr PITTSSPECS1S, Merced, CA, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 22, 1999, at 1430 hours pacific daylight time, an aerotek pitts special S-1S, N93J, ground looped on landing at the Merced, California, airport.… 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.