# NTSB NYC04LA140: Aviat Pitts S2B, N963CB, Hamilton, OH, June 13, 2004 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 13, 2004, 18:30 local (22:30 UTC) - Place: Hamilton, OH - Coordinates: 39.363609, -84.521942 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.3636&lon=-84.5219&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 28, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 59500 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC04LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/59500/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC04LA140 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control after experiencing a brake system malfunction during landing. Factors related to the accident were the malfunction of a landing gear brake as reported by the pilot, and the crosswind conditions. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - malfunction (contributing factor) - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - airport sign/marker ## Analysis After completing a 1-hour flight, which included sustained inverted flight, the pilot returned to land. The pilot stated that after touching down on runway 29, a 5,500-foot long, 100-foot wide asphalt runway, the right landing gear brake stuck. The airplane veered to the left, departed the runway surface, and struck a taxiway sign with the right wing. The right landing gear assembly collapsed, and the airplane came to rest in a grass area. Examination of the brake system by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any abnormalities. The winds recorded at the airport, about the time of the accident, were from 230 degrees 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 13, 2004, at 1830 eastern daylight time, an Aviat Pitts S2B, N963CB, was substantially damaged while landing at the Butler County Regional Airport (HAO), Hamilton, Ohio. The certificated private pilot and pilot-rated passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he had just completed a 1-hour flight, which included sustained inverted flight, and returned to land at HAO. After touching down on runway 29, a 5,500-foot long, 100-foot wide asphalt runway, the right landing gear brake stuck. The airplane veered to the left, departed the runway surface, and struck a taxiway sign with the right wing. The right landing gear assembly collapsed, and the airplane came to rest in a grass area. The pilot additionally reported to the inspector that he had accumulated about 19 hours of total flight experience in make and model airplane. Examination of the brake system by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any abnormalities. Review of a weather observation recorded at HAO, at 1753, included winds from 230 degrees 12 knots, gusting to 18 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N963CB](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N963CB-2006-05-18), registration cancelled 2006-05-18, S/N 5289, built 1993 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Aviat Pitts S2B - Registry model: [Aviat PITTS S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/aviat-pitts-s-2b) (registry code 2210308) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming AEIO-540 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-aeio-540-series) (registry code 41568, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: S-2B - Airframe hours: 540 - Engines: Textron Lycoming AE IO-540 D4A 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: James M. Faddis - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, July 16, 2003, 27 hours before - Departed: HAO, Hamilton, OH - Airport: HAO, Butler County Regional Airport, runway 29, 5,500 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review September 9, 2003; seat: rear; flight hours: 652 total, 19 in this make and model, 508 as pilot in command, 81 in the last 90 days, 29 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 12 knots, gusting 18 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 70 °F - Altimeter: 29.86 inHg - Observed at: HAO ## 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 20040613028429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20040613028429A), Jun 13, 2004: Aviat PITTSS2B, Hamilton, OH, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot had been performing sustained inverted flight. Right brake failed upon landing causing aircraft to leave runway and hit a runway marker. It was… 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.