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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

May 22, 1999 · Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S Pitts SPEC · N93J

Merced, CA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
May 22, 1999
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 serious injury)
Location
Merced, CA
Aircraft
Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S Pitts SPEC
Tail Number
N93J
Injuries
Serious
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
LAX99LA193

The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings. He stated that on the last landing the aircraft landed hard and bounced. He decided to do a go-around and added power. The pilot reported that the power came up and the engine sounded normal; however, the aircraft didn't climb. The airplane then veered about 10 to 20 degrees to the left. The pilot stated that he realized something was wrong and cut the power. The wingtips and propeller impacted the ground and the aircraft came to rest upright about 150 feet northwest of the 1,000-foot runway marker. The pilot reported that he has no memory of the events following the reduction of power until another person arrived at the accident site. There were no witnesses to the accident; however, another pilot heard the crash and helped the pilot egress from the aircraft. The winds were reported to be variable at 4 knots at the time of the accident.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's improper/inadequate use of the rudders during the attempted recovery from a bounced landing and his subsequent failure to maintain directional control of the aircraft.

Full Narrative

On May 22, 1999, at 1430 hours Pacific daylight time, an Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S, N93J, ground looped on landing at the Merced, California, airport. The aircraft, owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was seriously injured. The local area personal flight originated at the Merced airport about 1400, and was conducted under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that he was practicing touch-and-go landings to runway 30. He stated that on the last landing the aircraft landed hard and bounced. He decided to do a go-around and added power. The pilot reported that the power came up and the engine sounded normal; however, the aircraft didn't climb. The airplane then veered about 10 to 20 degrees to the left. The pilot stated that he realized something was wrong and cut the power. The wingtips and propeller impacted the ground and the aircraft came to rest upright about 150 feet northwest of the 1,000-foot runway marker. The pilot reported that he has no memory of the events following the reduction of power until another person arrived at the accident site. There were no witnesses to the accident; however, another pilot heard the crash and helped the pilot egress from the aircraft. The winds were reported to be variable at 4 knots at the time of the accident.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:30 PDT
Nearest AirportMerced Muni/Mcready Field (0nm)
Runway30
Runway Length5903 ft
Runway Width150 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAerotek Pitts Special S-1S Pitts SPEC
Tail NumberN93J
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · IO-360-B4A · Reciprocating · 180
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 serious injury)
Fatal0
Serious1
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total1
Crew 1Age 63 · Second Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind4 kt
Visibility6 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time21:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data