# NTSB NYC00LA151: Meadows Pitts Special S-1, N63DM, Meriden, CT, June 4, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 4, 2000, 08:20 local (12:20 UTC)
- Place: Meriden, CT
- Location: 41.5087° N, 72.8295° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at MERIDEN MARKHAM MUNI (MMK), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5087&lon=-72.8295&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 4, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 49350
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA151
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49350/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA151

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control of the airplane during the landing roll, due to his locking of the brakes.

## 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
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - remedial action - improper, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

After touchdown, the tailwheel-equipped airplane was on the left side of the runway, so the pilot applied right rudder.  The airplane then veered to the right, so the pilot applied left rudder.  The airplane continued to the right, so the pilot applied, then locked the brakes while the airplane was still traveling about 30 miles per hour.  The airplane flipped over its nose, and onto its back.  Winds, around the time of the accident, were calm.

## Factual narrative

On June 4, 2000, at 0820 Eastern Daylight Time, a homebuilt Pitts Special S-1, N63DM, was substantially damaged during a landing at Meriden Markham Municipal Airport (MMK), Meriden, Connecticut.  The certificated private pilot was not injured, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  No flight plan had been filed for the flight, between Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR), Danbury, Connecticut, and Meriden.  The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

According to the pilot, he landed the airplane on Runway 18.  Upon touchdown, the tailwheel-equipped airplane appeared to be on the left side of the runway, so the pilot applied right rudder.  The airplane then veered to the right, so the pilot applied left rudder.  The airplane continued to the right, so the pilot applied, and then locked, the brakes.  The airplane flipped over its nose, and onto its back.

The pilot estimated the airspeed of the airplane to be at 30 miles per hour when the accident occurred.

Winds, recorded at the airport 24 minutes before the accident, were calm.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N63DM](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N63DM), registered now, S/N DM2, built 1981 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Meadows PITTS SPECIAL S-1 (PITTS SPEC)
- Registry model: [Meadows Denny PITTS SPECIAL](https://openairdocs.org/model/meadows-denny-pitts-special) (registry code 7220521) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: DM-2
- Airframe hours: 458
- Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Frederick Ackermann
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2000, 32 hours before
- Departed: DXR, DANBURY, CT
- Destination: MMK
- Airport: MMK, Meridian Markham Muni, runway 18, 3,100 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 49; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 853 total, 29 in this make and model, 763 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 59 °F, dew point 54 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MMK

## 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 20000604040099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000604040099A), Jun 4, 2000: Amtr PITTSSPECIAL, Meriden, CT, Substantial damage. (.4)On June 4, 2000, at 0820 eastern daylight time, a homebuilt pitts special S-1, N63DM, was substantially damaged during a landing at meridian Markham…

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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