Pitts S-2A N32TP
17 February 1998 · New Smyrna Beac, Florida, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 17 February 1998 at about 22:20 local time, a Pitts S-2A registered N32TP was involved in an accident near New Smyrna Beac, Florida, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 22:20
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- New Smyrna Beac, Florida, United States
- Nearest airport
- Spruce Creek Airport (44J)
- Coordinates
- 29.0208, -80.9190
- Aircraft
- Pitts S-2A
- Registration
- N32TP
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Daytona Beach → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- ATL98LA045
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
The loss of engine power for undetermined reasons, and, the jammed engine starter drive assembly, that prevented an engine restart in flight. A factor was the soft terrain.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The pilot reported that they were performing flat spin maneuvers when the propeller assembly stopped turning, and the engine quit. Attempts, by the pilot, to restart the engine, failed. The pilot surveyed the immediate area for an emergency landing area. The pilot selected a landfill for an emergency landing. The airplane touched down on the main landing gear, sank into the soft soil, and flipped over on the left side. Examination of the airplane disclosed that the starter drive assembly was stuck, and it was also jammed against the engine flywheel. The starter drive assembly was described as being 'gummed up'. After the starter drive assembly was freed the engine started normally. According to the Chief Test Pilot for Aviat Aircraft Inc, Pitts Aviation Enterprises, Inc., and other S-2A pilots, it is not uncommon for the S-2A to experience a loss of engine power during the execution of a flat spin. The normal restart procedure requires the use of the starter assembly. Examination maintenance records disclosed that the airframe maintenance procedures were completed in accordance with prescribed procedures.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other Pitts S-2A accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 May 1998 | Pitts S-2A | Benton, Kansas, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 31 Jul 1999 | Pitts S-2A | Pittstown, New Jersey, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 17 Apr 1994 | Pitts S-2A | Kahuku, Hawaii, United States | Tsunami Aviation Hawaii, Inc | Fatal | 1 |
| 1 Sep 2003 | Pitts S-2A | Hillsboro, Oregon, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Jul 2009 | Pitts S-2A | Springfield, Illinois, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 3 Aug 1985 | Pitts S-2A | Van Nuys, California, United States | Alpha Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Aug 1998 | Cessna 172F | Spring Hill, Florida, United States | Barrett A. Bailey | No injuries | - |
| 1 Sep 1998 | Cessna 172G | Leesburg, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 26 May 1998 | Gulfstream American 690C | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 25 May 1998 | Mohr SKYBOLT | Lakeland, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 28 May 1998 | Bell 47G | Bunnell, Florida, United States | Wing and Rotor International | No injuries | - |
| 27 May 1998 | Beechcraft 95 | Jacksonville, Florida, United States | RAY T. Hanselman | Minor injuries | - |