Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S N2HT
4 August 1996 · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 4 August 1996 at about 22:37 local time, a Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S registered N2HT was involved in an accident near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:37
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
- Coordinates
- 40.3598, -79.9002
- Aircraft
- Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S
- Registration
- N2HT
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- IAD96FA126
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
The pilot's utilization of airspeeds greater than the manufacturer recommended maneuvering airspeeds which exceed the design limits of the airplane and resulted in the subsequent failure of the wing spar.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot received clearance into the approved airshow aerobatic airspace, and initiated his first maneuver, a double snap roll. A video tape of the maneuver showed a deformation of the lower left wing within seconds of initiation of the maneuver. This was followed by a failure of the left outboard portion of the upper wing. Both the failed lower left wing and the failed upper left outboard portion of the top wing displaced aft against the empennage. The video then captured the airplane in a descent until water impact in an inverted attitude. According to witnesses, the pilot utilized airspeeds greater than the manufacturer's recommended maneuvering airspeeds. Witnesses also reported seeing the 'g' meter in the cockpit at higher positive and negative readings than recommended by the manufacturer. The pilot had voiced his concern about the airplane's wings because of flutter he experienced during recent flights.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Aerotek PITTS accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Apr 1996 | Aerotek PITTS S-2A | Reidsville, North Carolina, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 20 Sep 1997 | Aerotek PITTS S-2A | San Marcos, Texas, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 25 Sep 1995 | Aerotek PITTS-S2S | Clarksville, Virginia, United States | Carl Henning | Fatal | 1 |
| 22 Jul 1995 | Aerotek PITTS S-2S | Honesdale, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 10 Apr 1993 | Aerotek PITTS S-2B | North Benton, Ohio, United States | Anton Satorious | Fatal | 2 |
| 22 May 1999 | Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S | Merced, California, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Aug 1996 | Cessna 150F | Greenfld Twnshp, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Aug 1996 | Piper PA-31T | Pottstown, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 10 Feb 1996 | Cessna P206A | Forks Township, Pennsylvania, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
| 15 Aug 1996 | Mooney M20F | Hanover, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Sep 1996 | Cessna 182B | Hanover, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 5 Oct 1996 | Cessna 150H | Sunbury, Pennsylvania, United States | - | No injuries | - |