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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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NTSB Report

June 6, 2006 · Aviat Pitts S-2B · N55H

Darmstadt, IN

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
June 6, 2006
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Darmstadt, IN
Aircraft
Aviat Pitts S-2B
Tail Number
N55H
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI06LA150

The aerobatic tailwheel airplane sustained substantial damage during landing on a 50 foot wide grass runway when the airplane exited runway 26, impacted high vegetation, and nosed over. The pilot stated, "Normal approach - 100 mph, 900 [feet above ground level] downwind pattern. Touched down center of runway, plane was on the ground and rolling. Everything felt right and normal. Started pulling to right added left rudder, right wing contacted wheat along edge of runway and pulled plane into [field.]" At 1854, the recorded wind was 070 degrees at 7 knots. An examination of the landing gear components disclosed that the left main landing gear fractured/separated during the accident sequence. Portions of the left main landing gear were sent to the NTSB Materials laboratory for analysis. The examination disclosed that the fractures/separations were consistent with overload, with no evidence of any pre-existing anomalies.

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a loss of control, and an on-ground collision with terrain.

Full Narrative

On June 5, 2006, about 1915 central daylight time, an Aviat Pitts S-2B, N55H, piloted by a private pilot, sustained substantial damage during landing when the airplane exited runway 26 (1,930 feet by 50 feet ,dry grass), impacted high vegetation, and nosed over at the J & S Field Airport, near Darmstadt, Indiana. The personal flight was operating under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan was on file. The pilot and pilot rated passenger reported no injuries. The flight originated from the Hepler Airport, near St. Wendel, Indiana, at 1910. The pilot's accident report, in part, stated: Normal approach - 100 mph, 900 [feet above ground level] downwind pattern. Touched down center of runway, plane was on the ground and rolling. Everything felt right and normal. Started pulling to right added left rudder, right wing contacted wheat along edge of runway and pulled plane into [field.] At 1854, the recorded wind at the Evansville Regional Airport, near Evansville, Indiana, was 070 degrees at 7 knots. Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors examined the runway and wreckage. The landing gear from the accident airplane was sent to the National Transportation Safety Board Materials Laboratory for detailed examination. Examination of the landing gear components revealed the separations were consistent with overload.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time19:15 CDT
Nearest AirportJ & S Field Airport (0nm)
Runway26
Runway Length1930 ft
Runway Width50 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftAviat Pitts S-2B
Tail NumberN55H
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · AEIO-540-D4A5 · Reciprocating · 260
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 52 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind70° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point50
Altimeter29.98 inHg
Observation Time23:54
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data