# NTSB MIA92LA013: Christen Industries Pitts S-2B, N69SZ, Sebring, FL, October 13, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 13, 1991, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Sebring, FL
- Location: 27.4564° N, 81.3424° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SEBRING RGNL (SEF), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=27.4564&lon=-81.3424&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 28, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 33020
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA92LA013
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/33020/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA92LA013

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN AN INADVERTENT GROUND SWERVE AND COLLISION WITH TALL GRASS BESIDE THE RUNWAY.  THE TALL GRASS WAS A RELATED FACTOR.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - go-around - initiated, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

THE PILOT STATED THAT AS THE TAILWHEEL SETTLED DURING THE LANDING, THE AIRCRAFT BEGAN TO VEER TO THE RIGHT.  A GO-AROUND WAS INITIATED AND THE AIRCRAFT BECAME AIRBORNE.  HOWEVER, THE AIRCRAFT WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY AND CONTACTED TALL GRASS, WHICH CAUSED THE SPADE UNDER THE LEFT BOTTOM WING TO SEPARATE.  THE AIRCRAFT THEN ROLLED TO THE LEFT AND THE LEFT WING TIP CONTACTED THE GROUND.  THE AIRCRAFT TOUCHED DOWN AND THE MAIN LANDING GEAR SEPARATED. THE AIRCRAFT THEN ROTATED TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO REST.  A POST-CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT REVEALED NO EVIDENCE TO INDICATE A PRECRASH FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE LANDING GEAR OR BRAKE SYSTEMS.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N69SZ](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N69SZ), registered now, S/N 5191, built 1990 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: CHRISTEN INDUSTRIES PITTS S-2B
- Registry model: [Christen Industries PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/christen-industries-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210006) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5191
- Airframe hours: 330
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Mtf, Inc.
- Registered owner: Mtf, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, August 29, 1991, 74 hours before
- Airport: SEF, Sebring Regional, runway 36, 5,190 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,100 total, 400 in this make and model, 935 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 12 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: SRQ, 65 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 19911013045849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19911013045849A), Oct 13, 1991: Child S2BPITTS, Sebring, FL, Substantial damage. Swerved on landing. Began go arund. Spade hit weeds seperated allowed roll to left as ailerons went to left turn.

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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