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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

March 3, 2004 · Aviat Pitts S2B · N61PS

Parkland, FL

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
March 3, 2004
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Parkland, FL
Aircraft
Aviat Pitts S2B
Tail Number
N61PS
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
MIA04CA055

The pilot stated that an earlier flight had occurred, and that fuel had been ordered, but it was not delivered and placed in the airplane's fuel tanks. He further stated that the refueling error was not detected during the preflight inspection. He said they departed from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, and flew to the practice area to perform aerobatics, and as he rolled the airplane inverted, the engine hesitated. He said he immediately recognized that the airplane had not been refueled after the previous flight. Rather than fly over populated areas, the pilot said he elected to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road close to the practice area, and during the rollout the airplane veered to the left, off the dirt road and nosed over into a water filled canal, incurring damage.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight planning which resulted in an off-airport precautionary landing to preclude fuel exhaustion, which resulted in damage to the airplane during the landing.

Full Narrative

On March 3, 2004, about 1515 eastern standard time, an Aviat Pitts S2B, N61PS, registered to and operated by a private individual, as a Title 14 CFR part 91 personal flight, veered during a landing in Palm Beach County, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed. The commercial-rated pilot was not injured and airplane incurred substantial damage. The flight originated at the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the same day, about 1500. The pilot stated that an earlier flight had occurred, and that fuel had been ordered, but it was not delivered and placed in the airplane's fuel tanks. He further stated that the refueling error was not detected during the preflight inspection for the second flight. He said that they departed from the Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport, flew to the practice area to perform aerobatics, and as he rolled the airplane inverted at the commencement of aerobatic maneuvers, the engine hesitated. He said that immediately he recognized that the airplane had not been refueled after the previous flight, estimating that he had departed with about 6 gallons of fuel, instead of the usual 23 gallons. At the time the engine hesitated, he stated that there was about 2 gallons of fuel in the fuel tanks, and rather than fly over populated areas, he elected to make a precautionary landing on a dirt road close to the practice area. He said the approach and landing flare/touchdown were normal, but during the rollout the sawgrass struck the left wing and the airplane veered to the left, off the dirt road. It then nosed over and came to rest in a water-filled canal, incurring damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time15:15 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAviat Pitts S2B
Tail NumberN61PS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO540D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 56 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind100° @ 13 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point63 F
Altimeter30.22 inHg
Observation Time19:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data