AEROTEK PITTS S-2A
West Palm Beach, FL — March 8, 2017
Event Information
| Date | March 8, 2017 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA17CA181 |
| Event ID | 20170308X02940 |
| Location | West Palm Beach, FL |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 26.84583, -80.22222 |
| Airport | NORTH PALM BEACH COUNTY GENERA |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | AEROTEK |
| Model | PITTS S-2A |
| Category | AIR |
| FAR Part | 091 |
| Aircraft Damage | SUBS |
Conditions
| Light Condition | DAYL |
| Weather | VMC |
Injuries
| Fatal | 0 |
| Serious | 0 |
| Minor | 0 |
| None | 1 |
| Total Injured | 0 |
Event Location
Probable Cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions.
Full Narrative
The pilot of a tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that after 12 to 13 touch-and-go landings on a grass runway in crosswind conditions, he planned to complete a full stop landing. He added that during the landing roll, the airplane "departed the runway to the right" into marshy terrain and nosed over.
The vertical stabilizer and rudder sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
According to a Federal Aviation Administration Aviation Safety Inspector, a few hours after the accident he inspected the grass runway and found no abnormalities with the surface.
The nearest automated weather observation station 12 nautical miles from the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind 190° at 7 knots. The pilot reported that he landed on runway 26 left.
About This NTSB Record
This aviation event was investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). NTSB investigates all U.S. civil aviation accidents to determine probable cause and issue safety recommendations to prevent future accidents.