Pitts S1S N9PJ
28 August 2000 · Westminister, California, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 28 August 2000 at about 01:50 local time, a Pitts S1S registered N9PJ was involved in an accident near Westminister, California, 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 01:50
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Westminister, California, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- Pitts S1S
- Registration
- N9PJ
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Long Beach → Upland
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX00LA315
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
The pilot of the Pitts misjudged the clearance while maneuvering under the Cessna.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The airplanes collided in-flight as the Pitts maneuvered from behind to in front of the Cessna. The pilots stated they were flying each other's airplane. The pilots established radio and visual contact with each other. The Pitts assumed a trail position behind the Cessna. The Pitts varied its distance and position relative to the Cessna. Cruise altitude was about 1,000 feet. The Cessna turned left and began a gradual climb to 1,500 feet. About 1,400 feet, the Pitts pilot advised the Cessna pilot to hold still and the Cessna pilot acknowledged. The Cessna pilot leveled off and held his course. He knew from their years of flying together that the Pitts pilot would come below him. As the Pitts maneuvered from behind to in front of the Cessna, the Cessna's propeller severed the top half of the Pitts' vertical stabilizer and rudder. The Cessna's damaged propeller set up a vibration. The Pitts pilot maintained control of his airplane. The pilots discussed their options and elected to divert to Fullerton. They advised the tower of their situation and asked for emergency equipment to be on hand. The Cessna pilot landed first, and the Pitts pilot evaluated the amount of control available. After the emergency equipment arrived, the Pitts landed uneventfully.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitts S1S S1S | N9PJ | - | Substantial |
| Cessna 172RG 172RG | N6225R | - | Minor |
Other Pitts S1S accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 May 2005 | Pitts S1S | Lake Wales, Florida, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Jun 1992 | Pitts S1S | Hornell, New York, United States | David R. Bell | No injuries | - |
| 21 Dec 1986 | Pitts S1S | Warsaw, Indiana, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 16 Jan 1983 | Pitts S1S | San Jose, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 21 Nov 1982 | Pitts S1S | Wonewoc, Wisconsin, United States | George Grisson | No injuries | - |
| 9 Jun 1981 | Pitts S1S | Savannah, Tennessee, United States | - | Fatal | 1 |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Aug 2000 | Piper PA-30 | Davis, California, United States | Travis AFB Aeroclub | No injuries | - |
| 9 Aug 2000 | Cessna 150H | Corona, California, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 14 Feb 2000 | Cessna 182L | Coulterville, California, United States | - | Fatal | 2 |
| 31 May 2000 | Cessna 152 | Palm Springs, California, United States | The FLT School At Palm Springs | Fatal | 2 |
| 6 Nov 2000 | Cessna 340A | Selma, California, United States | Yecny Enterprises, Inc. | Fatal | 1 |
| 16 Feb 2000 | Cessna 172N | Palm Springs, California, United States | Bermuda Dunes Air Service | Minor injuries | - |