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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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December 31, 2025 · Pitts S1S · N401MS

Carbondale, IL

Overview

Report Status
Factual report
Event Type
Accident
Date
December 31, 2025
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury)
Location
Carbondale, IL
Aircraft
Pitts S1S (2015)
Tail Number
N401MS
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CEN26LA074

On December 31, 2025, at 1603 central standard time, a Pitts S1S airplane, N401MS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Carbondale, Illinois. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had completed three touch-and-go landings on runway 36R. He then completed a low approach over runway 18L and began a climb near the departure end of the runway. Upon reaching 400 ft above ground level (agl), the engine lost power. The pilot was able to momentarily restore partial power by manually actuating the emergency fuel pump; however, the engine lost power again. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot completed a forced landing on an airport perimeter road, then exited the road to the right and struck a power pole. The left wing separated from the airplane during the impact. The tail mounted video camera captured the accident sequence, and the video was provided for the investigation. The airplane’s engine monitoring system data card and the airplane have been retained for further examination.

Full Narrative

On December 31, 2025, at 1603 central standard time, a Pitts S1S airplane, N401MS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Carbondale, Illinois. The pilot received minor injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot reported that he had completed three touch-and-go landings on runway 36R. He then completed a low approach over runway 18L and began a climb near the departure end of the runway. Upon reaching 400 ft above ground level (agl), the engine lost power. The pilot was able to momentarily restore partial power by manually actuating the emergency fuel pump; however, the engine lost power again. Unable to maintain altitude, the pilot completed a forced landing on an airport perimeter road, then exited the road to the right and struck a power pole. The left wing separated from the airplane during the impact. The tail mounted video camera captured the accident sequence, and the video was provided for the investigation. The airplane’s engine monitoring system data card and the airplane have been retained for further examination.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:03 CST
Nearest AirportSouthern Illinois (0.6nm SSE)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftPitts S1S
Tail NumberN401MS
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Seats1

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured0
Total1

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind310° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point43 F / 30 F
Altimeter30.02 inHg
Observation Time16:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data