Accident Overview
On July 8, 2009, at approximately 1205 central daylight time, a Christen Industries Pitts S-2B (registration N113DW) was substantially damaged during a forced landing following a loss of engine power while maneuvering near Oakland, Mississippi. The certificated private pilot sustained serious injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.
Aircraft and Pilot Information
According to a bill of sale, the pilot purchased the airplane on April 9, 2008. The aircraft was manufactured in 1986 and held a normal and acrobatic standard airworthiness certificate issued by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). At the time of the accident, the airplane had accumulated about 750 total operating hours, with approximately 40 hours since its most recent annual inspection performed on November 16, 2008.
Flight and Witness Accounts
An FAA inspector reported that the airplane departed from an airport located about 16 miles from the accident site with approximately 18 gallons of fuel on board. Witnesses observed the airplane in a left turn when the engine began to "sputter" and subsequently quit. The airplane then descended at about a 45-degree angle until it impacted trees and came to rest in a heavily wooded area.
One witness stated that the pilot had performed a few "commonplace" aerobatic maneuvers and was in a turn when the engine made two loud "coughs" accompanied by "large bursts of smoke" before going "totally silent."
Wreckage Examination
Examination of the wreckage by an FAA inspector revealed that the left wing had separated. The right wing remained attached but sustained damage consistent with multiple tree strikes. Evidence of a fuel spill was present at the accident site. The Lycoming AEIO-540 series engine was partially buried in the ground.
The wreckage was recovered to a storage facility in Griffin, Georgia, where it was examined by two FAA inspectors. The examination did not reveal any evidence of preimpact malfunctions. A small amount of fuel was recovered from the airframe electric boost pump. The fuel did not appear consistent in color with 100-low-lead aviation gasoline. Subsequent testing showed the fuel had a 98 octane rating; however, due to the small sample size, it could not be checked for contamination.