On February 2, 2002, an Aviat PITTS S-2B (registration N300PS) operated by Hart Air was involved in an aviation accident near Hawthorne, CA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: Failure of the student to maintain directional control of the airplane on the landing rollout and failure of the CFI to adequately supervise the flight. A contributing factor was the decreased tension of the right main landing gear shock cord/bungee. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive; 1 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.
During a full stall touch-and-go landing practice, the student pilot's airplane veered right of the runway centerline and struck a taxi light with the left wing. The CFI applied full left rudder but could not prevent the collision. Post-accident inspection revealed slack in the right main landing gear bungee cord.
Accident Details
The flight was conducted to practice full stall touch-and-go takeoffs and landings. The student pilot had successfully completed five touch-and-go landings to a full stall without any discrepancies. The sixth landing was the accident landing. During the landing rollout, the airplane veered to the right of the runway centerline and struck a taxi light with the left wing.
Pilot Actions
The certified flight instructor (CFI) observed that the student had the control stick full aft and was applying left rudder to correct for the drift to the right. As the airplane continued to drift to the right, the CFI applied full left rudder. Despite this input, the left wing struck the taxi light.
Post-Accident Inspection
During the airplane inspection, it was observed that the tension of the right main landing gear bungee cord was slack. No further mechanical anomalies were noted.
What happened in the 2 Feb 2002 Aviat PITTS S-2B accident near Hawthorne, CA?
During a full stall touch-and-go landing practice, the student pilot's airplane veered right of the runway centerline and struck a taxi light with the left wing. The CFI applied full left rudder but could not prevent the collision. Post-accident inspection revealed slack in the right main landing gear bungee cord.
Were there any fatalities in the 2 Feb 2002 Aviat PITTS S-2B accident?
No fatalities were recorded in this accident.
What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?
The accident on 2 Feb 2002 involved an Aviat PITTS S-2B, registration N300PS, operated by Hart Air, at Hawthorne, CA.
What was the probable cause of the accident?
Failure of the student to maintain directional control of the airplane on the landing rollout and failure of the CFI to adequately supervise the flight. A contributing factor was the decreased tension of the right main landing gear shock cord/bungee.
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