Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S accident near Pittsburgh, PA
On August 4, 1996, an Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S (airplane) was involved in an accident near Pittsburgh, PA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 4, 1996
- Place
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Aircraft
- Aerotek PITTS SPECIAL S-1S · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.360°N, 79.900°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X06521
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 4, 1996, approximately 1837 eastern daylight time, an Aerotek, Pitts Special S-1S, N2HT, was destroyed when a wing failed while performing aerobatics at the Three Rivers Regatta, and impacted in the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot/owner received fatal injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot took off from Allegheny County Airport at 1815. After a period of holding, the pilot received clearance into the Regatta Aerobatic Box. A video tape taken of the accident showed the maneuvering by the pilot for the planned initial maneuver, a double snap roll. Within seconds of the beginning of the video, the lower left wing and a portion of the top wing, failed. Both failed wings were seen folded aft against the empennage as the airplane descended and impacted the water inverted. The accident occurred during the hours of daylight approximately 43 degrees, 27 minutes north latitude, and 80 degrees, 03 degrees west longitude. PERSONNEL INFORMATION The pilot held a commercial pilot certificate with ratings for airplane single and multi-engine land, with the limitation that the carrying of passengers in airplanes for hire was prohibited at night and on cross-country flights of more than 50 nautical miles. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Second Class Medical Certificate was issued on May 16, 1996, with the limitation that he must wear corrective lenses for both near and far vision. The pilot w
Probable cause
The pilot's utilization of airspeeds greater than the manufacturer recommended maneuvering airspeeds which exceed the design limits of the airplane and resulted in the subsequent failure of the wing spar.
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Browse: Pennsylvania
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
