Blatter-Pitts S2S accident near Waukegan, IL
On October 8, 1995, a Blatter-Pitts S2S (airplane) was involved in an accident near Waukegan, IL. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- October 8, 1995
- Place
- Waukegan, IL
- Aircraft
- Blatter-Pitts S2S · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 42.399°N, 87.851°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001207X04655
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On October 8, 1995, at 1217 central daylight time, a Blatter-Pitts S2S, N61AC, piloted by a commercially certificated pilot, was destroyed during a collision with the ground and subsequent fire while demonstrating aerobatic maneuvers at an airshow. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 demonstration flight was not operating on a flight plan. The pilot was fatally injured. The flight departed Waukegan, Illinois, exact time unknown. Witnesses reported the airplane had made a series of rolling maneuvers before colliding with the runway. They said the airplane leveled out before its collision with the runway. According to these witnesses, the airplane caught fire shortly after colliding with the runway. One witness provided a video tape recording which showed the airplane completing a fifth roll type maneuver before beginning its descent. This video tape was taken looking from the west to the east. It showed the right side of the airplane as it headed southwest. The video showed the airplane with an approximate 25 degree pitch down attitude at the conclusion of the last roll maneuver. As the airplane neared the runway, its pitch attitude leveled with about a 5 degree right bank. When the airplane collided with the runway the landing gear moved aft and outward until the airplane's fuselage bottom struck the runway surface. As the airplane slid along the runway's surface smoke began to emanate from the engine and front cockpit compartments. A second video tape showed a rear view of the airplane. It showed the
Probable cause
the pilot's failure to maintain airplane control during the aerobatic maneuver. Factors associated with the accident were: an improper weight and balance with a center of gravity aft of the rear limit, the pilot's overconfidence in his personal ability, and his lack of total experience in the aerobatic maneuver being performed.
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Browse: Illinois
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
