# NTSB NYC07CA198: Christen Industries Pitts S-2B, N487J, Springfield, TN, August 19, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 19, 2007, 15:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Springfield, TN - Coordinates: 36.613334, -86.810279 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.6133&lon=-86.8103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 66473 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC07CA198 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66473/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC07CA198 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions during landing. ## 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 - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ditch ## Analysis According to the pilot of the Pitts S-2B, he made one pass over the runway prior to landing, to observe the wind sock at the airport. He noted a slight crosswind from the west, but he felt it was not very strong. The pilot performed a normal landing on runway 35, a 2,000-foot long turf runway, and during the initial roll-out, a gust of wind blew the airplane to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder to counteract the wind, but was unsuccessful. As the airplane approached the runway edge, the pilot applied full throttle to initiate a go-around. The airplane impacted a ditch off the left side of the runway prior to becoming airborne. The pilot reported no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at an airport 30 miles to the south, at the time of the accident, were from 210 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot of the Pitts S-2B, he made one pass over the runway prior to landing, to observe the wind sock at the airport. He noted a slight crosswind from the west, but he felt it was not very strong. The pilot performed a normal landing on runway 35, a 2,000-foot long turf runway, and during the initial roll-out, a gust of wind blew the airplane to the left. The pilot applied full right rudder to counteract the wind, but was unsuccessful. As the airplane approached the runway edge, the pilot applied full throttle to initiate a go-around. The airplane impacted a ditch off the left side of the runway prior to becoming airborne. The pilot reported no pre-impact anomalies with the airplane. The winds reported at an airport 30 miles to the south, at the time of the accident, were from 210 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N487J](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N487J-2020-06-25), registration cancelled 2020-06-25, S/N 5127, built 1987 (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: 5127 - Airframe hours: 1940 - Engines: Lycoming AEIO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Steve Johnson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, January 1, 2007 - Departed: M91, Springfield, TN - Destination: 3TN9, Springfield, TN - Airport: 3TN9, Holenthawall Airport, runway 35, 2,000 × 100 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 1, 2007; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,140 total, 850 in this make and model, 1,945 as pilot in command, 45 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 210° at 8 knots - Visibility: 9 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: BNA, 30 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 20070819016319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070819016319A), Aug 19, 2007: Aviat PITTSS2B, Springfield, TN, Substantial damage. (-23) On landing rollout to a grass landing strip pilot encountered sudden and strong right cross wind. Corrective action did not hold aircraft on runway and… ## Other investigations on N487J (1) 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. - [NTSB CEN20CA146](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN20CA146), Apr 10, 2020: Pitts S2 (N487J), Fort Worth, TX, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection of the fuel level, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel exhaustion. 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.