# NTSB MKC86LA089: Aerotek Pitts S-2A, N51WJ, Springfield, MO, April 12, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 12, 1986, 10:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Springfield, MO
- Location: 37.2227° N, 93.2483° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at DOWNTOWN (3DW), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2227&lon=-93.2483&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 34160
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MKC86LA089
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/34160/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC86LA089

## Sequence of events

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

- Main gear collapsed, taxi - from landing
  - landing gear,main gear attachment - failure,total (cause)
  - inadequate quality control, manufacturer (cause)

## Analysis

THE PLT STATED THAT AFTER LANDING ON RWY 28 THE LEFT GEAR FOLDED WHILE TAXIING. THE ACFT THEN FELL ONTO ITS LEFT WING. THE PLT REPORTED THE GEAR COLLAPSED WITHOUT WARNING. EXAMINATION OF THE GEAR SUPPORT FOUND A JOINT WHICH WAS COLD WELDED HAD FAILED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N51WJ (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS S-2A
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2263
- Airframe hours: 211
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-360-A1E 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James H. Cooper
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, March 31, 1986, 6 hours before
- Airport: 3DW, Springfield Downtown, runway 28, 3,800 ×  ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 52; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 6,414 total, 30 in this make and model, 6,175 as pilot in command, 118 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 39 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: FSS, 7 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 19860412044259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19860412044259A), Apr 12, 1986: Child S2APITTS, Kansas City, MO, Substantial damage. Left gear folded while taxiing after landing. Cold weld failed on one of the joints on strut assembly.

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.