# NTSB NYC99LA186: Pitts S-2A, N6PS, Pittstown, NJ, July 31, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 31, 1999, 13:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Pittstown, NJ
- Location: 40.5876° N, 75.0194° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at ALEXANDRIA (N85), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.5876&lon=-75.0194&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report August 3, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 47045
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC99LA186
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47045/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC99LA186

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to obtain the proper touchdown point.

## Sequence of events

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

- Undershoot, landing
  - proper touchdown point - not obtained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

A normal approach was performed to Runway 26.  A check of the windsock indicated a light crosswind from the left.  As the airplane approached the end of the runway, it encountered a downdraft, and power was added to compensate.  The airplane then impacted a bush, located about 15 feet from the approach end of the runway, touched down hard, and skidded off the left side of the runway into grass.

## Factual narrative

On July 31, 1999, about 1300 Eastern Daylight Time, a Pitts S-2A, N6PS, was substantially damaged while landing at the Alexandria Airport (N85), Pittstown, New Jersey.  The certificated private pilot, and the pilot passenger received minor injuries.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight that originated at the Aeroflex-Andover Airport (12N), Andover, New Jersey, conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.

The pilot stated that following an uneventful flight from 12N, she entered the traffic pattern at N85.  All necessary pre-landing checks were completed, and a normal approach was performed to Runway 26, a 2,550 foot long asphalt runway.  A check of the windsock indicated a light crosswind from the left.

As the airplane approached the end of the runway, it encountered sink, and power was added to compensate.  The airplane then impacted a bush, located about 15 feet from the approach end of the runway, touched down hard, and skidded off the left side of the runway into grass.  The airplane came to rest upright, nose down.

The weather reported at an airport, located about 16 miles to the northwest, at 1251 was; winds variable at 3 knots, and a temperature of 91 degrees Fahrenheit.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6PS](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6PS-2008-10-07), registration cancelled 2008-10-07, S/N 2006, built 1971 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Pitts S-2A
- Registry model: [Pitts S-2A](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-s-2a) (registry code 7220401) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 2006
- Engines: Lycoming AEIO-360 200 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Thin Air Ltd
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 1999
- Departed: 12N, ANDOVER, NJ
- Destination: N85
- Airport: N85, Alexandria Airport, runway 26, 2,550 × 50 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 36; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 403 total, 51 in this make and model, 301 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 3 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABE, 19 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 19990731010289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990731010289A), Jul 31, 1999: Child S2APITTS, Pittstown, NJ, Substantial damage. Acft landed hard, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing was sheared off. (.19) on July 31, 1999, about 1300 eastern daylight time, a pitts…

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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