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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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NTSB Report

July 4, 1994 · Pitts S2B · N61PS

Fort Lauderdale, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 4, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Aircraft
Pitts S2B
Tail Number
N61PS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA94LA171

THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING ACROBATIC MANEUVERS WHEN HE HEARD A 'POP' AND NOTED THAT HIS RIGHT UPPER AILERON WAS LOOSE. HE SLOWED DOWN, AND WAS ABLE TO RETURN AND LAND WITHOUT FURTHER INCIDENT. POSTFLIGHT INSPECTION REVEALED A FAILURE OF THE UPPER RIGHT INBOARD AILERON WELDED BRACKET. FURTHER METALLURGICAL EXAMINATION AT THE SAFETY BOARD LABORATORY REVEALED 3 DISTINCT FATIGUE ORIGINS BETWEEN THE TOE OF THE WELD AND THE WELDED ZONES. THE WELD ITSELF EXHIBITED SHARP AND HIGH WELD CROWNS.

NTSB Probable Cause

THE POOR WELDING QUALITY OF THE MANUFACTURER, RESULTING IN THE FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE AILERON ATTACHMENT BRACKET.

Full Narrative

On July 4, 1994, about 1400 eastern daylight time, N61PS, a Pitts S2B, registered to the pilot David Swartz, experienced an in-flight control system failure while maneuvering on a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed for the local flight. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot was not injured. The flight originated about 1330 the same day. The pilot stated that while performing aerobatics he heard a "pop". He then noticed partial loss of control of aileron travel. He returned to the airport and landed without further incident. Postflight inspection of the airplane revealed a failure of the upper, right, inboard aileron welded bracket. This same airplane experienced longeron failures at the welds on May 26, 1994, reference, NTSB accident case number MIA94LA154. The failed aileron bracket was submitted to the NTSB laboratory for examination. The examination revealed three distinct fatigue origins between the toe of the weld and the welded zones. The weld itself exhibited sharp and high weld crowns.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:00 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPitts S2B
Tail NumberN61PS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-540 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 46 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 15 kt
Visibility15 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 20000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data