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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 15, 1999 · Engleman Pitts S1 · N64DE

Mattoon, IL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 15, 1999
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (1 uninjured)
Location
Mattoon, IL
Aircraft
Engleman Pitts S1
Tail Number
N64DE
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI99LA151

The pilot made a 3-point landing and the initial portion of the landing roll was normal. He reported the airplane then began to '...veer sharply to the right.' He was unable to correct the directional control of the airplane. The left main gear collapsed and the left lower wingtip along with the propeller contacted the runway prior to the airplane coming to rest on a heading of about 180 degrees. Inspection of the airplane failed to reveal any failure/malfunction of the airplane's brake system. A fuel line was located near the left brake which may have interfered with the pilot pressing on the brake pedal.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control and inadvertent ground loop/swerve. A related factor was the crosswind.

Full Narrative

On May 15, 1999, at 1245 central daylight time (cdt), an Engleman Pitts S1, N64DE, operated by a commercial pilot ground looped while landing at the Coles County Memorial Airport, Mattoon, Illinois. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was substantially damaged. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated from Mattoon, Illinois, at 1157 cdt. The pilot reported that prior to the accident he made three landings on Runway 17 which was a grass airstrip. He then flew in the local area for approximately 20 minutes and came back to land on Runway 11 (6,501' x 150'). The pilot reported the local winds were from 170 degrees at 10 knots. The pilot reported he made a 3-point landing and the initial portion of the landing roll was normal. He reported the airplane then began to "...veer sharply to the right." The pilot reported he was unable to correct the directional control and the airplane continued to the right. The left main gear collapsed and the left lower wingtip along with the propeller contacted the runway prior to the airplane coming to rest on a heading of about 180 degrees. An inspector from the Springfield, Illinois, Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office examined the airplane after the accident. The inspector reported that he was unable to find any failure/malfunction of the airplane's brake system. He did state that there was a fuel line which ran near the left brake pedal and it was possible that line interfered with the pilot pressing on the brake.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time12:45 CDT
Nearest AirportColes County Memorial (0nm)
Runway11
Runway Length6501 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftEngleman Pitts S1
Tail NumberN64DE
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · O-290 · Reciprocating · 125
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (1 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured1
Total1
Crew 1Age 52 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind170° @ 10 kt
Visibility5 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point70 F / 61 F
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Weather SourcePILO

Appendix: Source Data