Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
Aviation Accident Data Summary - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Fort Lauderdale, Florida
NTSB Identification: GAA17CA181
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Wednesday, March 08, 2017 in West Palm Beach, FL
Probable Cause Approval Date: 06/07/2017
Aircraft: AEROTEK PITTS S-2A, registration: N1230S
Injuries: 1 Uninjured.
NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, after completing 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 examined the grass runway and found no abnormalities with the surface.
The nearest automated weather observation station, located 12 nautical miles from the accident airport, about the time of the accident, recorded wind from 190° at 7 knots. The pilot reported that he landed on runway 26 left.
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident as follows:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in crosswind conditions.
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.
