# NTSB NYC93LA114: Pitts S-2B, N54DR, East Palestine, OH, June 15, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 15, 1993, 11:15 local (15:15 UTC)
- Place: East Palestine, OH
- Coordinates: 40.829685, -80.540489 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8297&lon=-80.5405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 19, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 37332
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC93LA114
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/37332/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC93LA114

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE AIRCRAFT. THE PILOT'S IMPROPER COMPENSATION FOR THE WIND CONDITION IS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS ON SHORT FINAL FOR A LANDING ON RUNWAY 27 (THE WINDS WERE 280 DEGREES AT 10 KNOTS, GUSTS TO 20 KNOTS).  THE PILOT SAID, '...JUST AS I WAS READY TO TOUCHDOWN, A GUST OF WIND CAUSED THE RIGHT WING TIP TO HIT THE GROUND...'  THE AIRPLANE THEN VEERED TO THE RIGHT OF THE RUNWAY AND NOSED OVER.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N54DR (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-2B
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 5093
- Airframe hours: 457
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540-D4A5 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert C. Bertelsen
- Registered owner: Robert C. Bertelsen
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, May 14, 1993, 5 hours before
- Departed: 38D, SALEM, OH
- Destination: NONE
- Airport: 80H4, Bartholow Airfield, runway 27, 2,611 × 50 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,031 total, 64 in this make and model, 2,841 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 19930615018099A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930615018099A), Jun 15, 1993: Child S2BPITTS, Columbiana, OH, Substantial damage. Blamed wind gust at flare caused wing to drag ground. Aircraft cartwheeled onto its back.

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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