Aviat PITTS S-2B N68PS

Summary

On 10 October 2003 at about 23:05 local time, a Aviat PITTS S-2B registered N68PS was involved in an accident near Cromwell, Minnesota, 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.

Date

10 October 2003 at 23:05

Classification

Accident

Location

Cromwell, Minnesota, United States

Coordinates

46.6696, -92.8693

Aircraft

Aviat PITTS S-2B

Registration

N68PS

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Duluth → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CHI04LA007

1 person died.

The altitude/clearance not maintained by the pilot while performing aerobatic maneuvers. Contributing factors were the planning/decision to perform an aerobatic maneuver at a low altitude.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane impacted a lake while performing aerobatics at an altitude of about 1,500 feet above ground level. A witness, who stated that he was familiar with the pilot's aerobatic routine stated that the pilot began an intentional spin about 1,500 feet above ground level (AGL), initiated a recovery at 150-200 feet AGL, and impacted the lake. Examination of the wreckage confirmed flight control continuity. The pilot was found in the rear seat secured by the airplane restraint harness. He was wearing a parachute.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.