Aviation Accident Summaries

Aviation Accident Summary MIA98LA099

ZEPHYRHILLS, FL, USA

Aircraft #1

N99PF

Pitts S1-S

Analysis

The pilot stated he was making a touch-and-go landing with a crosswind, and had not applied sufficient aileron for the crosswind. He lost directional control of the airplane, and it subsequently nosed over. The pilot had a total of 14.4 hours in the Pitt S1-S airplane.

Factual Information

On March 11, 1998, about 1020 eastern standard time, a Pitts, S1-S, N99PF, registered to a private owner, operating as a 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight, experienced a loss of directional control and crashed during a touch-and-go landing at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, Zephyrhills, Florida. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage. The private pilot reported minor injuries. The flight originated from Zephyrhills, about 40 minutes before the accident. The pilot stated he made one touch-and-go landing to runway 04. He moved over to runway 36 and completed five more touch-and-go landings. He was starting the touch-and-go portion of the sixth landing, and did not have sufficient aileron applied for the crosswind. The airplane swerved to the left, he applied right rudder, lost directional control, and the airplane nosed over inverted. Review of the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report indicates the pilot has a total of 290 hours total flight time with 14.4 hours in the Pitt S1-S airplane.

Probable Cause and Findings

the pilot's improper use of flight controls (ailerons) during a touch-and-go landing with a crosswind, resulting in a loss of directional control and subsequent nose over of the airplane. A factor relating to the accident was: the pilot's lack of total experience in kind of aircraft.

 

Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database

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