Aviat S-2C accident near Sheridan, IN
On September 25, 2002, an Aviat S-2C (airplane) was involved in an accident near Sheridan, IN. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- September 25, 2002
- Place
- Sheridan, IN
- Aircraft
- Aviat S-2C · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 40.130°N, 86.211°W
- NTSB ID
- 20021002X05260
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On September 25, 2002, at 1708 central daylight time, an Aviat Pitts S-2C, N116PS, operated by Fly Aerobatic, was destroyed on impact with terrain during an aerobatic flight near Sheridan, Indiana. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 local flight was not operating on a flight plan. The certified flight instructor (CFI) and private pilot were fatally injured. The flight originated from the Indianapolis Terry Airport (TYQ), Indianapolis, Indiana, about 1650. Another CFI, employed at Fly Aerobatic, stated that the accident airplane had a usable fuel capacity of 23 gallons and would leave full on every flight. He heard the CFI ask for the fuel truck prior to the accident flight. He stated that he was friends with both pilots. He stated that he was flying in the area but did not witness the accident and estimated that the accident airplane was about 2,500 feet above ground level (AGL) performing a tail slide. He communicated a farewell to the CFI and turned towards TYQ as the accident airplane was in a vertical climb. A witness stated that the airplane had been making smoke during aerobatics, but not during the tail slide. The airplane climbed to about 2,000 feet (AGL) and fell over on its back. He added, "There is no question that the aircraft was on its back." The airplane began spinning and turned 6 times before it appeared to begin to recover. He estimated that if the airplane had an additional 1,000 feet, it would have made a safe recovery. He also stated that there was engine noise. A witness reported
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and airspeed while performing an aerobatic maneuver. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command exceeding the aircraft weight and balance, and his inadequate preflight planning/preparation.
More accidents in IN
- Pilatus PC-12, May 25, 2011
- Mitsubishi MU-2B-60, Sep 11, 1992
- Cessna 310N, Nov 20, 1984
- Cessna T303, Nov 14, 2006
- Cessna U206G, Apr 21, 2006
Browse: Indiana · Aviat aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
