# NTSB NYC05CA136: Hanek Pitts S1S, N184MH, Mercer, PA, August 23, 2005 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 23, 2005, 13:30 local (17:30 UTC) - Place: Mercer, PA - Coordinates: 41.215831, -80.189445 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.2158&lon=-80.1894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 20, 2005 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA Allegheny FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 62326 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC05CA136 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/62326/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC05CA136 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in an on ground encounter with crops. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition, as reported by the pilot. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - roll/run - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The airplane was departing from runway 27, a 2,000-foot-long, 250-foot-wide, turf runway. According to the pilot, a "u-shaped" cluster of trees surrounded the east end of the runway. As the airplane accelerated it began to bounce, and when the airplane passed the cluster of trees, it was exposed to a 10 knot crosswind from the north. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, entered a corn field and nosed over. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Winds reported at an airport that was located about 17 miles northeast of the accident site, about 15 minutes prior to the accident, were from 360 degrees at 6 knots. Winds reported about 5 minutes after the accident, were calm. ## Factual narrative On August 23, 2005, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Pitts S1S, N184MH, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Nelson's Run Airport, Mercer, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injures. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was departing from runway 27, a 2,000-foot-long, 250-foot-wide, turf runway. According to the pilot, a "u-shaped" cluster of trees surrounded the east end of the runway. As the airplane accelerated it began to bounce, and when the airplane passed the cluster of trees, it was exposed to a 10 knot crosswind from the north. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, entered a corn field and nosed over. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He reported 1,500 hours of total flight experience, which included 115 hours in make and model. At 1315, winds reported at an airport that was located about 17 miles northeast of the accident site, were from 360 degrees at 6 knots. At 1335, the winds were reported as calm. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N184MH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N184MH), registered now, S/N 1, built 1999 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Hanek Pitts S1S - Registry model: [Hanek Michael J JR PITTS S1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/hanek-michael-j-jr-pitts-s1s) (registry code 7221312) (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: 1 - Airframe hours: 25 - Engines: Lycoming O-320 150 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Walter L. Riley - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, August 1, 2005, 24 hours before - Departed: FKL, Franklin, PA - Destination: 39PN, Mercer, PA - Airport: 39PN, Nelson's Run, runway 27, 2,000 × 250 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 81; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2004; seat: center; flight hours: 1,500 total, 115 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 0 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 5,000 ft overcast - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: FKL, 17 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 20050823022429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20050823022429A), Aug 23, 2005: Aviat PITTSS1S, Mercer, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was attempting to take off on the runway with a crosswind from the right. The aircraft started to fishtail and drift to the left towards the… 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.