# NTSB MIA96LA132: Aerotek Pitts S-2A, N8040, Reidsville, NC, April 27, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 27, 1996, 15:00 local (19:00 UTC)
- Place: Reidsville, NC
- Coordinates: 36.339878, -79.670722 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.3399&lon=-79.6707&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report July 11, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38013
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA96LA132
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38013/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA96LA132

## Probable cause

the pilot failed to maintain control of the airplane while performing an acrobatic maneuver.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to the pilot, '[the] accident occurred immediately after inverted ribbon cut.' After cutting the ribbon the flight continued to descend and struck the runway while still inverted.  The airplane slid off the left side of the runway into the grass, and caught fire as the pilot exited.  No discrepancies were found with either the airframe or engine.

## Factual narrative

On April 27, 1996, about 1500 eastern daylight time, an Aerotek Pitts S-2A, N8040 , registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91, other work use, local flight, and crashed in the vicinity of Reidsville, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was destroyed, and the commercial pilot received minor injuries.

According to the pilot, "[the] accident occurred immediately after inverted ribbon cut." After cutting the ribbon the flight continued to descend and struck the runway still inverted.  The airplane slid off the left side of the runway into the grass, and caught fire as the pilot exited.

An FAA Inspector witnessed the accident and stated, "while monitoring the airshow...I observed the Pitts S2A...perform an inverted ribbon cut maneuver along Runway 13...after cutting through the ribbon, the aircraft continued its descent and contacted the runway surface while inverted."

An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any discrepancies, and the pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8040](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8040), registered now, S/N 2083 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Aerotek PITTS S-2A
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s-2a) (registry code 0110201) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2083
- Engines: Lycoming IO-360-A1A 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Other work use, Part 91
- Registered owner: Linsey B Hess
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 12, 1996, 2 hours before
- Departed: NC14
- Airport: NC14, Rockingham County, runway 13, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; seat: rear; flight hours: 12,000 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 12,000 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 10 knots, gusting 14
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 37 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: GSO, 10 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 19960427012009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960427012009A), Apr 27, 1996: Child S2APITTS, Reidsville, NC, Destroyed. During inverted ribbon cutting at airshow collided with ground. Burned.

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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