Pitts Aerobatics S-2B N260PK

Summary

On 29 May 2010 at about 23:54 local time, a Pitts Aerobatics S-2B registered N260PK was involved in an accident near Amarillo, Texas, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

29 May 2010 at 23:54

Classification

Accident

Location

Amarillo, Texas, United States

Nearest airport

Blue Sky Airfield (2TX0)

Coordinates

35.0644, -101.8494

Aircraft

Pitts Aerobatics S-2B

Registration

N260PK

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Amarillo → Amarillo

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

CEN10LA295

1 person had minor injuries.

The fracture of the fuel pump housing for undetermined reasons.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the initial climb following an engine teardown, inspection, and engine reinstallation, the airplane’s engine experienced a partial loss of power. The pilot initiated a 180-degree turn and performed a downwind landing on the runway from which he had just departed. Following the landing, and while taxiing, the pilot observed flames emanating from the engine cowling area. The pilot shut down the engine and exited the airplane. Moments later the airplane was engulfed in flames. An examination of the airplane’s engine revealed that the engine-driven fuel pump housing had fractured where the fuel line fitting had been inserted. The fitting, with its pipe thread, was the correct fitting; however, its preaccident torque value is unknown. Due to thermal damage to the pump housing the reason for the failure could not be determined.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.