Stanton PITTS S-1S accident near Coushatta, LA
On August 8, 1999, a Stanton PITTS S-1S (airplane) was involved in an accident near Coushatta, LA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 8, 1999
- Place
- Coushatta, LA
- Aircraft
- Stanton PITTS S-1S · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 32.020°N, 93.340°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001212X19502
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 8, 1999, at 1048 central daylight time, a Stanton Pitts S-1S aerobatic amateur-built experimental airplane, N90HS, was substantially damaged when it impacted tress and terrain while maneuvering near the Red River Airport, Coushatta, Louisiana. The commercial pilot, who was the sole occupant and registered owner of the airplane, was fatally injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and a flight plan was not filed for the 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal aerobatic flight. The local flight departed from the Red River Airport approximately 1035. According to three aerobatic pilot rated witnesses, who were located at the airport at the time of the accident, the pilot was practicing aerobatic maneuvers for an air show. Prior to his second practice run, the pilot told the witnesses that he was going to attempt two consecutive snap rolls prior to landing. The witnesses attempted to talk him out of the idea, stating that he would not have enough altitude or energy to complete the maneuver. The witnesses stated that in the pilot's "normal air show routine," he usually completed one snap roll prior to landing, but not two. The witnesses stated that after the pilot completed a half Cuban 8, "he pulled the power to idle and then made a left roll to upright, followed by a snap roll to the right." According to the witnesses, during the entry of the second snap roll, "the airplane was low on energy and low in altitude and the airplane entered a nose down spin." They stated that the airplane "made about two turns in the spin prior to impa
Probable cause
The pilot's poor in-flight decision to perform aerobatics at a low altitude and slow airspeed, resulting in the inadvertent stall/spin.
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Browse: Louisiana
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
