# NTSB MIA90LA174: Pitts S1-S, N10PP, Palm City, FL, August 25, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 25, 1990, 09:50 local (13:50 UTC)
- Place: Palm City, FL
- Coordinates: 27.160615, -80.260856 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.1606&lon=-80.2609&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32695
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA90LA174
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32695/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA90LA174

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT IN COMMAND TO INITIATE A GO AROUND IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND THE AIRPLANE LANDING GEAR DUG INTO THE SOFT SOD AND NOSED OVER.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - soft
- Nose over, landing - flare/touchdown
  - go-around - delayed, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE PILOT LANDED THE AIRPLANE ON A SOD RUNWAY THAT WAS WET AND SOFT. DURING THE LANDING ROLL HE NOTED THAT THE RIGHT MAIN WHEEL AND TIRE WERE DIGGING IN THE SOD. HE ATTEMPTED A GO AROUND AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR FAILED AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N10PP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N10PP-1991-06-04), registration cancelled 1991-06-04, S/N 1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S1-S
- Registry model: [Fox PITTS SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/fox-pitts-special) (registry code 7220264) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1
- Airframe hours: 1070
- Engines: AVCO LYCOMING O-360-A3A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Kenneth Truesdale
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 21, 1990, 93 hours before
- Departed: X58, INDIANTOWN, FL
- Destination: 1X4
- Airport: 1X4, Willis Slideport

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 48; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 390 total, 89 in this make and model, 32 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: PBI, 8 nm away

## 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 19900825035949A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900825035949A), Aug 25, 1990: Child S1SPITTS, Boynton Beach, FL, Substantial damage. Right wheel sank in soft runway collapsing the gear and causing aircraft to flip over on landing.

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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