Pitts 12 accident near Ocklawaha, FL
On August 9, 2021, a Pitts 12 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Ocklawaha, FL. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- August 9, 2021
- Place
- Ocklawaha, FL
- Aircraft
- Pitts 12 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 29.025°N, 81.948°W
- NTSB ID
- 20210809103662
Official records · ERA21FA318
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 9, 2021, about 1656 eastern daylight time, an experimental amateur-built Pitts Model 12, N112JH, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Ocklawaha, Florida. The pilot and pilot-rated passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. The pilot was conducting a local aerobatic flight. According to flight track data, the airplane completed three loops and then entered a climb and descent, at which point the data ended. Multiple witnesses reported seeing the airplane “spiraling” toward the water, but none reported seeing the airplane before that point. One witness recorded cell phone video of the airplane that showed the airplane in an inverted flat spin, which was followed by a nose-down spin and contact with the lake. The video also recorded the sound of the engine operating continuously until the airplane impacted the water. The pilot and passenger were wearing parachutes, and the pilot was observed jumping from the airplane at a low altitude. The video did not capture the pilot’s parachute deploying before water contact, but witnesses stated that the parachute was open and floating in the water. Furthermore, the sound of the engine was continuous until the airplane impacted the water. Multiple witness reported seeing the airplane spiraling towards the water, but none reported seeing the airplane prior to that. PILOT INFORMATION The pilot’s personal logbook was not located. According to a ferry pilot, the pilot bought the airplane about 1 year bef
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain airplane control while performing aerobatic maneuvers, which resulted in an inverted flat spin from which he was unable to recover.
More accidents in FL
- Grumman G-73T, Dec 19, 2005
- Beech B90, Jan 5, 1994
- Beech B-90, Sep 3, 1999
- Cessna 182B, Feb 7, 1982
- Pilatus Aircraft Ltd PC-12/47, Jun 7, 2012
Browse: Florida · Pitts 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.
