# NTSB NYC00LA053: Christen Industries Pitts S-2B, N260XX, Shamokin, PA, December 12, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: December 12, 1999, 16:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Shamokin, PA - Coordinates: 40.780979, -76.549621 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.7810&lon=-76.5496&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 13, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 48351 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/48351/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA053 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control. ## 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 - roll - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he landed on the runway, and the airplane began to veer to the right. He attempted to correct the travel by applying left rudder pedal and brake. The right main landing gear traveled into mud, and the airplane went off the right side of the runway, into a ditch. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. ## Factual narrative On December 12, 1999, about 1600 Eastern Standard Time, a Pitts S-2B, N260XX, was substantially damage while landing at Northumberland County Airport (N79), Shamokin, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot stated that he landed on Runway 26 at N79. As the tailwheel touched down, the airplane veered to the right. The pilot applied left rudder pedal and brake, but the right main landing gear traveled into mud, and the airplane went off the right side of the runway, into a ditch. The pilot reported that he had approximately 180 hours of flight experience. Approximately 35 hours were in the accident airplane. Examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration Inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. The Inspector observed the lower left wing bent aft, and spar damage to the upper left wing. The propeller was deformed, and the left main landing gear separated from the airplane. The reported winds at an airport approximately 15 miles away were from 050 degrees at 4 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N260XX](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N260XX-2012-11-27), registration cancelled 2012-11-27, S/N 5116, built 1986 (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: 5116 - Airframe hours: 400 - Engines: Lycoming AIO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Jeff W. Maurer - Registered owner: Aero Leasing Of America - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1999, 30 hours before - Departed: N79 - Airport: N79, Northumberland County, runway 26, 3,297 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 43; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 180 total, 35 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 50° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 43 °F, dew point 19 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: SEG, 15 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 19991212044309A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19991212044309A), Dec 12, 1999: Aviat PITTSS2B, Shamokin, PA, No damage. (-23) [privacy data omitted] piloted N260XX, a pitts S-2B, on December 12, 1999, with one passenger on board. The a/c took off from Northumberland County… 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.