Pilot Debrief

HADDOW WILLIAM H PITTS SPECIAL S 1 near New Bern, NC — 2016-10-29

Final reportERA17LA031
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Date
2016-10-29
Location
New Bern, NC, USA
Aircraft
HADDOW WILLIAM H PITTS SPECIAL S 1
Registration
N27832
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Minor
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

A loss of biplane control during aerobatic maneuvers for reasons that could not be determined because a portion of the biplane's flight control system was not recovered and could not be tested.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot reported that he was practicing aerobatics in the experimental, amateur-built biplane over a river. During the maneuvers, as he input left aileron, the control stick was stiff, and he believed he observed abnormal movement of the upper left aileron. He then applied more force to free the control stick and input right aileron; however, the airplane rolled left and entered a spin. The pilot was unable to recover from the spin and subsequently parachuted from the airplane. The airplane came to rest at the bottom of the river. Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed that most of the left wings' parts, including the ailerons and aileron control tubes, were not recovered. As such, control continuity could not be verified or tested.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted aerobatic maneuvers upon feeling control stick stiffness.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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