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NTSB Report

September 20, 1993 · Christen Industries Pitts S-2B · N88EW

Hawthorne, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 20, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Hawthorne, CA
Aircraft
Christen Industries Pitts S-2B
Tail Number
N88EW
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX93LA359

THE CERTIFICATED PRIVATE PILOT/DUAL STUDENT WAS RECEIVING INSTRUCTION IN A CONVENTIONAL GEAR (TAILWHEEL) AIRPLANE. DURING THE ROLL-OUT ON THE SECOND LANDING, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE RIGHT. THE CFI INSTRUCTED THE DUAL STUDENT TO APPLY LEFT RUDDER. THE DUAL STUDENT APPLIED FULL LEFT RUDDER AND THE AIRPLANE SWERVED VIOLENTLY TO THE LEFT. THE CFI WAS UNABLE TO ARREST THE VIOLENT LEFT TURN AND THE AIRPLANE EXITED THE RUNWAY AND GROUND LOOPED.

NTSB Probable Cause

dual student's failure to maintain directional control and improper use of the rudder and the CFI's inadequate supervision of the flight.

Full Narrative

On September 20, 1993, at 0904 hours Pacific daylight time, a Christen Industries, Inc., Pitts S-2B, N88EW, ground looped during the landing roll-out on runway 25 at Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Hawthorne, California. The pilots were conducting a local visual flight rules instructional flight. The airplane, operated by the flight instructor, sustained substantial damage. Neither the certificated airline transport pilot/flight instructor (CFI) nor the certificated private pilot/dual student was injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight originated at Hawthorne Municipal Airport at 0840 hours. The CFI reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, and in a subsequent telephone interview, that the he was providing dual instruction so that the private pilot could "check-out" in conventional gear (tailwheel) airplanes. The dual student landed normally on the second landing. During the landing roll-out, the airplane began to drift to the right. The CFI instructed the dual student to apply left rudder to arrest the drift; however, the dual student applied "full left" rudder and the airplane swerved violently to the left. The CFI could not arrest the turn and the airplane "ground looped." The dual student reported in the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1/2, that during the landing roll-out the airplane began to drift slowly to the left. The dual student stated he applied full right rudder while the instructor also applied full right rudder and right brake. The airplane continued to turn to the left and exited the runway.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time09:04 PDT
Nearest AirportHawthorne Muni Airport (0nm)
Runway25
Runway Length4956 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftChristen Industries Pitts S-2B
Tail NumberN88EW
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-540-A4D4 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind180° @ 5 kt
Visibility3 sm
CeilingOvercast 1200 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time16:05
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data