# NTSB MIA01LA020: John S. Eberle Pitts Special S1S, N39124, Sebring, FL, October 30, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 30, 2000, 10:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Sebring, FL
- Coordinates: 27.490386, -81.449546 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4904&lon=-81.4495&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 17, 2001
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 50555
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA01LA020
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/50555/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA01LA020

## Probable cause

Improper inspection of the tailwheel assembly by the pilot which resulted in shimmy of the tailwheel assembly during landing due to a worn bearing caused by dirt infiltration which resulted in the pilot being unable to control the airplane and the airplane ground looping to the right.

## 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
  - landing gear,tailwheel assembly - worn (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent

## Analysis

The pilot stated that he made a 3 point touchdown and the tailwheel immediately began to hammer or shimmy. The airplane began tracking about 10 degrees to the right and then started to turn to the right. He locked the left brake but could not prevent the airplane from ground looping to the right. He stated that examination of the tailwheel assembly after the accident showed the bearings in the assembly were worn out from dirt getting into the bearings, and the assembly was free to move sideways about 1/2 inch. He stated that this caused the shimmy during landing and that he normally operated from a dirt strip.

## Factual narrative

On October 30, 2000, about 1030 eastern standard time, an Eberle Pitts Special S1S, N39124, registered to an individual, went off the runway when control was lost during landing at Sebring Regional Airport, Sebring, Florida, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot was not injured. The flight originated from Sebring, Florida, the same day, about 1010.

The pilot stated that he made a normal landing approach and a three-point touch down. Immediately, the tailwheel began "hammering" or shimmying, and the airplane began tracking down the runway to the right about 10 degrees. The airplane then began to turn to the right as he locked the left brake. The airplane then ground looped to the right. He stated that examination of the tailwheel assembly after the accident showed the bearings in the assembly were worn out from dirt getting into the bearings, and the assembly was free to move sideways about 1/2 inch. He stated that this caused the shimmy during landing and that he normally operated from a dirt strip.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N39124 (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: John S. Eberle PITTS SPECIAL S1S (PITTS SPEC)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 20938
- Airframe hours: 456
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: William E. Bhame
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 13, 2000, 80 hours before
- Departed: SEF
- Airport: SEF, Sebring Regional Airport, runway 36, 5,190 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 456 total, 161 in this make and model, 405 as pilot in command, 34 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 4 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FPR, 50 nm away

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.

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