Hanek PITTS S1S N184MH

Summary

On 23 August 2005 at about 17:30 local time, a Hanek PITTS S1S registered N184MH was involved in an accident near Mercer, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

23 August 2005 at 17:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Mercer, Pennsylvania, United States

Nearest airport

Nelson's Run (39PN)

Coordinates

41.2158, -80.1894

Aircraft

Hanek PITTS S1S

Registration

N184MH

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Franklin → Mercer

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC05CA136

1 person had minor injuries.

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in an on ground encounter with crops. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition, as reported by the pilot.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The airplane was departing from runway 27, a 2,000-foot-long, 250-foot-wide, turf runway. According to the pilot, a "u-shaped" cluster of trees surrounded the east end of the runway. As the airplane accelerated it began to bounce, and when the airplane passed the cluster of trees, it was exposed to a 10 knot crosswind from the north. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, entered a corn field and nosed over. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Winds reported at an airport that was located about 17 miles northeast of the accident site, about 15 minutes prior to the accident, were from 360 degrees at 6 knots. Winds reported about 5 minutes after the accident, were calm.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.