# NTSB NYC95LA169: Aerotek Pitts S-2S, N330HP, Honesdale, PA, July 22, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 22, 1995, 15:10 local (19:10 UTC)
- Place: Honesdale, PA
- Coordinates: 41.570564, -75.250373 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.5706&lon=-75.2504&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed, report October 27, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 39010
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC95LA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/39010/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC95LA169

## Probable cause

the pilots misjudgment of the altitude required to perform an aerobatic maneuver, and the subsequent collision with trees.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with object, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command
  - altitude/clearance - misjudged, pilot in command (cause)
  - object - tree(s)

## Analysis

THE PILOT HAD BEEN CONDUCTING MANEUVERS FOR AN AIRSHOW.  THE PILOT STATED THAT WHILE CONDUCTING A MANEUVER '...[THE AIRPLANE] WENT DEEPER AND LOST SOME ALTITUDE, 200 FEET, DURING THE RECOVERY STAGE.  I DID NOT CLEAR TREES ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE SHOW LINE....'  THE FAA INSPECTORS STATEMENT STATED, '...[THE PILOT] INDICATED THAT ON ENTRY, HIS POWER WAS SET LOWER THAN NORMAL...AND HIS AIRSPEED WAS A LITTLE LOWER THAN NORMAL...WHICH RESULTED IN A LOWER ENTRY ALTITUDE....[THE PILOT] INDICATED THAT THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRCRAFT OR THE ENGINE....'

## Factual narrative

On July 22, 1995, about 1510 eastern daylight time, a  Pitts S-2S, N330HP, impacted trees while performing aerobatics during an airshow near the Cherry Ridge Airport, Honesdale, Pennsylvania.  The commercial pilot received serious injuries and the airplane was substantially damaged.  The local flight Originated from Cherry Ridge Airport.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

In the NTSB form 6120.1/2, the pilot stated,

While performing a solo aerobatic act at this airshow,      I was halfway through my normal routine doing a      maneuver I call my LA LA PALUZA, which is tumbling the      plane end over end.  [The airplane] went deeper and lost

some altitude, 200 feet, during the recovery stage.  I did      not clear trees on the east side of the show line.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Inspectors stated,

...[The pilot] indicated that on entry his power was      set...lower than normal (2400 vs. 2500 RPM); and his      airspeed was a little lower than normal (165 vs. 180      knots) which resulted in a lower entry altitude....

...[The pilot] indicated that there were no problems      with the aircraft or the engine....

Additionally, postaccident examination by the FAA Inspectors revealed no pre-impact anomalies with the engine or airframe.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N330HP](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N330HP-2008-05-20), registration cancelled 2008-05-20, S/N 1010 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: AEROTEK PITTS S-2S
- Registry model: [Aerotek PITTS S2S](https://openairdocs.org/model/aerotek-pitts-s2s) (registry code 0110202) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 1010
- Airframe hours: 941
- Engines: LYCOMING IO-540-D4A5 315 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paparazo Louis
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, April 22, 1995, 29 hours before
- Departed: N30
- Airport: N30, Cherry Ridge

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 62; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 3,400 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 90° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °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 19950722019299A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950722019299A), Jul 22, 1995: Child S2SPITTS, Honesdale, PA, Substantial damage. Aerobatic tumbling manuever resulted in crash into trees. Entered with less power and altitude to do maneuver safe.

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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