# NTSB NYC92LA131: Pitts S1S, N8025, Hornell, NY, June 28, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 28, 1992, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Hornell, NY
- Coordinates: 42.320816, -77.659362 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.3208&lon=-77.6594&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 26, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37183
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC92LA131
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37183/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC92LA131

## Probable cause

THE MISJUDGED LANDING BY THE PILOT AND HIS SUBSEQUENT IMPROPER RECOVERY FROM A BOUNCED LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF AIRPLANE CONTROL.

## 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
  - touchdown - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - recovery from bounced landing - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - aborted landing - attempted, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - aborted
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

THE PILOT SAID, 'THE AIR[PLANE TOUCHED DOWN AND BOUNCED.  IT SEEMED TO OSCILLATE BETWEEN THE TAILWHEEL AND THE MAIN GEAR....IT STARTED TO VEER TO THE LEFT OF THE RUNWAY....I APPLIED FULL THROTTLE...TO GO AROUND.'  THE AIRPLANE DID NOT BECOME AIRBORNE AND 'TUMBLED' ON THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8025](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N8025), registered now, S/N 1-0018, built 1974 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S1S
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-special-s-1s) (registry code 0110301) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming I0360 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-i0360-series) (registry code 41515, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 10018
- Airframe hours: 1189
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-B4A 180 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: David R. Bell
- Registered owner: David R. Bell
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, April 2, 1992, 102 hours before
- Departed: 4G6
- Airport: 4G6, Hornell Municipal, runway 35, 3,400 × 60 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 34; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 299 total, 19 in this make and model, 241 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## 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 19920628021989A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920628021989A), Jun 28, 1992: Child S1SPITTS, Hornell, NY, Substantial damage. Bounced and porpoised on landing. Lost control. Added power for go around too late and ground looped.

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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