# NTSB NYC03CA209: Wells Pitts S1S, N465JW, Duncannon, PA, September 27, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 27, 2003, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Duncannon, PA - Coordinates: 40.396667, -77.074165 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3967&lon=-77.0742&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 58064 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03CA209 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/58064/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03CA209 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing. Factors were the gusting cross winds. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot initially flew over the airport to check the wind and field conditions. The approach to runway 7 was uneventful; however, the airplane encountered a wind gust prior to touchdown. The airplane initially touched down, but a second gust of wind forced it back into the air. The airplane touched down a second time, and was not aligned with the runway. The airplane subsequently veered left and began to travel off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder and brake, but was unable to regain directional control. The reported wind at an airport approximately 10 miles southeast of the accident site, about the time of the accident, was from 160 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot reported that the wind at the accident site was from 160 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 25 knots. ## Factual narrative On September 27, 2003, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Pitts S1S, N465JW, was substantially damaged while landing at Chestnut Hill Airport (5PS5), Duncannon, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight that departed Keller Brothers Airport, Lebanon, Pennsylvania. No flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. Chestnut Hill Airport was serviced by runway 7/25. The runway was 1,700 feet long, 100 feet wide, and consisted of turf. The pilot stated that he initially flew over the airport to check the wind and field conditions. He estimated that the wind was from the south, and he decided to land on the east runway. The approach to runway 7 was uneventful; however, the airplane encountered a wind gust prior to touchdown. The airplane initially touched down, but a second gust of wind forced it back into the air. The airplane touched down a second time, and was not aligned with the runway. The airplane subsequently veered left and began to travel off the left side of the runway. The pilot applied right rudder and brake, but was unable regain directional control. The airplane continued to travel off the left side of the runway and came to rest upright. The wind reported at an airport about 10 miles southeast of the accident site, at 1356, was from 160 degrees at 12 knots. The pilot reported that the wind at the accident site was from 160 degrees at 16 knots, gusting to 25 knots. The pilot reported a total flight experience of 770 hours; of which, 85 hours were in the same make and model as the accident airplane. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed damage to right wing and landing gear. The inspector did not observe any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N465JW](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N465JW-2018-06-08), registration cancelled 2018-06-08, S/N JW2, built 2001 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Wells Pitts S1S - Registry model: [Wells Jerome PITTS S1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/wells-jerome-pitts-s1s) (registry code 05610H8) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 SER A&C](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-ser-a-c) (registry code 41511, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane, amateur-built - Serial number: JW2 - Engines: Lycoming IO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jerome Wells - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Departed: 08N, Keller Brothers, PA - Destination: 5PS5, Duncannon, PA - Airport: 5PS5, Chestnut Hill Airport, runway 7, 1,700 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2; flight hours: 770 total, 85 in this make and model, 705 as pilot in command, 42 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 12 knots - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: CXY, 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 20030927030449A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030927030449A), Sep 27, 2003: Aviat PITTSS1S, Duncannon, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot landed in a gusty crosswind and lost control. 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.