Pitts S1
Monument Valley, UT — November 3, 2019
Event Information
| Date | November 3, 2019 |
| Event Type | ACC |
| NTSB Number | GAA20CA056 |
| Event ID | 20191104X20412 |
| Location | Monument Valley, UT |
| Country | USA |
| Coordinates | 37.01667, -110.20055 |
| Airport | Monument Valley |
| Highest Injury | NONE |
Aircraft
| Make | Pitts |
| Model | S1 |
| 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 landing after a wing struck vegetation, which resulted in a runway excursion and subsequent ground-loop.
Full Narrative
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that, while conducting a 3-point landing, the lower right wing struck vegetation along the edge of the runway. The biplane veered to the right off the runway. She decided to abort the landing and added power to go around, but the biplane ground looped to the left and both lower wings struck the ground.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to fuselage and both lower wings.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
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.