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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

January 25, 1998 · Pitts S1 · N28K

Prescott, AZ

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
January 25, 1998
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Prescott, AZ
Aircraft
Pitts S1
Tail Number
N28K
Operator
Bob Sweginnis
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX98LA077

The pilot performed a short approach with a long landing to minimize the taxi time and to aid in the flow of traffic at the airport. He stated that as he approached the turn off to the taxiway, the nose began to drift to the right. The pilot tried to correct for the drift by first adding left rudder then by applying left brake, all to no avail. The aircraft turned off the runway and ground looped. The wind conditions at the time were calm.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.

Full Narrative

On January 25, 1998, at 0955 hours mountain standard time, a Pitts S1, N28K, ground looped during the landing roll at the Prescott, Arizona, airport. The aircraft sustained substantial damage, and the pilot was not injured. The aircraft departed Prescott at 0930 for a local area personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and included calm wind conditions. The pilot stated that he performed a short approach and a long landing on runway 21L to minimize the taxi distance. As he was approaching the turn off to the taxiway, the nose started to drift right in the direction of the turn off. He said he attempted to stop the drift with left rudder, with no effect. He stated that the slow turn increased in rate and he applied left brake, but to no avail. The airplane continued it's turn to approximately 45 to 60 degrees off the runway heading, where the airplane tilted left and the left wing tip struck the ground. A review of the pilot's flight time as shown in his report noted that he had approximately 11.5 hours of flight time in this make and model of airplane. The special surface weather observation taken by the air traffic control tower immediately after the accident reported calm wind conditions.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:55 MST
Nearest AirportPrescott-Love Field (1nm WNW)
Runway21
Runway Length7616 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPitts S1
Tail NumberN28K
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorBob Sweginnis
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-320 · Reciprocating · 160
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
WindCalm
Visibility65 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point46 / 25 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:55
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data