Accident Pitts S-1S N25SF, Sunday 13 July 2003
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Date:Sunday 13 July 2003
Time:09:30 LT
Type:Silhouette image of generic PTS1 model; specific model in this crash may look slightly different    
Pitts S-1S
Owner/operator:Douglas Hiranaka
Registration: N25SF
MSN: MLM-001
Engine model:Lycoming AEIO-360 Ser
Fatalities:Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 1
Other fatalities:0
Aircraft damage: Substantial
Category:Accident
Location:Livermore, California -   United States of America
Phase: Unknown
Nature:Private
Departure airport:Livermore Airport, CA (LVK/KLVK)
Destination airport:
Investigating agency: NTSB
Confidence Rating: Accident investigation report completed and information captured
Narrative:
The airplane ground looped during the landing roll. After practicing touch-and-go's at another airport, the pilot returned for landing. The touchdown was normal except for a "slight bounce." During the roll out, the left wing lifted and the airplane turned slightly to the left. The pilot applied "rudder correction with [the] stick full back." The airplane continued to turn left and he attempted differential braking; however, the airplane continued to turn left. The airplane came to rest facing about 90 degrees left of the runway heading. The right wing sustained a broken spar and broken ribs, and the right landing gear was bent during the turn. In a post accident examination, all flight controls functioned properly and no preimpact anomalies were found. The winds reported at 0953 were 240 degree at 6 knots. The winds reported at 1053 were 230 degrees at 7 knots.



Probable Cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for crosswind conditions, which resulted in a loss of directional control and a ground loop.

Accident investigation:
cover
  
Investigating agency: NTSB
Report number: LAX03CA246
Status: Investigation completed
Duration: 4 months
Download report: Final report

Sources:

NTSB LAX03CA246

Revision history:

Date/timeContributorUpdates
13-Oct-2022 09:38 ASN Update Bot Added

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