# NTSB SEA94LA195: Pitts S-2B, N8026, Salt Lake City, UT, July 26, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 26, 1994, 08:15 local (14:15 UTC)
- Place: Salt Lake City, UT
- Coordinates: 40.810134, -111.940704 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8101&lon=-111.9407&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Taxi](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/250) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 26, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 41987
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA94LA195
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/41987/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA94LA195

## Probable cause

THE INADEQUATE VISUAL LOOKOUT BY THE INSTRUCTOR AND DUAL STUDENT.  FACTORS INCLUDE SUNGLARE AND THE TUG LEFT ON THE TAXIWAY.

## Sequence of events

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

- On ground/water collision with object, taxi - from landing
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - object - vehicle (contributing factor)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
  - visual lookout - inadequate, dual student (cause)

## Analysis

DURING TAXI AFTER LANDING THE AIRCRAFT HIT A TUG THAT HAD BEEN LEFT ON THE TAXIWAY AFTER IT RAN OUT OF GAS.  THE PILOT ALSO STATED THAT THE RISING SUN WAS IN HIS EYES.

## Factual narrative

On July 26, 1994 at 0815 mountain daylight time, a Pitts S-2B, N8026, collided with a tug while taxiing at Salt Lake City International Airport, Salt Lake City, Utah. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged but neither the instructor nor the student pilot was injured. The flight had departed earlier that morning at about 0725 hours  from Salt Lake City on a local instructional flight.

According to the instructor pilot, during taxi from landing the sun was in their eyes. They hit a tug that was left on the taxiway after it had run out of gas.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N8026](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N8026-2000-03-16), registration cancelled 2000-03-16, S/N 5030 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: PITTS S-2B
- Registry model: [Pitts Aerobatics S-2B](https://openairdocs.org/model/pitts-aerobatics-s-2b) (registry code 7220450) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: LYCOMING AEIO-540 260 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: David Dingman
- Registered owner: David Dingman
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Airport: SLC, Salt Lake City Internat

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 28; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,651 total, 48 in this make and model, 2,620 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 360° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °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 19940726019379A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940726019379A), Jul 26, 1994: Child S2BPITTS, Salt Lake City, UT, Substantial damage. Struck a tug on taxiway returning to ramp. Blamed blinded by sun. Tug left on taxiway after running out of fuel.

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.