Accident Overview
On August 16, 2019, at approximately 1506 central daylight time, a Pitts S2B airplane, registration N600DF, was destroyed in an accident near New Orleans, Louisiana. The commercial pilot and one passenger sustained fatal injuries. The flight was conducted as a personal flight under Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.
Flight History
The passenger, a TV news anchor, was filming a documentary about the pilot, which included a local flight in the aerobatic airplane. Footage from the camera captured the takeoff and ended when the airplane was established in level flight on the left downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern for runway 36. Control tower personnel reported that the pilot requested to return to the airport shortly after takeoff but did not specify a reason. The tower controller cleared the pilot to land on runway 36R.
A witness observed the airplane and described it as “unstable” and “wiggling,” and reported that the engine was sputtering. The airplane then impacted the ground. The witness ran to the scene but the airplane burst into flames. Another witness inside a trailer near the accident site saw a “red” streak go by the window and heard the crash.
First responders located the wreckage about 0.8 mile south of the airport.
Wreckage and Impact
The airplane impacted the ground at about a 45° nose-down attitude on a heading of about 355° magnetic. A steel fence, railroad tracks, and power lines were adjacent to the crash site. Depressions were found in the ground under the nose and fuselage.
A post-impact fire consumed most of the airplane structure, cockpit, and fabric-covered flight control surfaces. Only remnants of the tube structure remained discernable. The ground surrounding the wreckage was scorched. Flight control continuity was established from all surfaces to the cockpit. Separations in control tubes and cables were consistent with overload and/or first responder actions; some disruptions were due to melting in the fire.
The engine sustained severe thermal damage. The crankshaft rotated by hand and drivetrain continuity was confirmed. Accessory gear movement was inhibited by molten material. Thumb compression was established except for the #5 intake valve, which had severe thermal damage. Spark plugs Nos. 2, 4, and 6 displayed normal wear; Nos. 1, 3, and 5 were slightly dark. Cylinder borescope and removal revealed no anomalies. The mixture and throttle controls were encased in molten material and could not be examined. Fuel injectors were clear, the fuel flow divider was clear, and the diaphragm was intact. The propeller governor screen was clear. The wooden propeller blades were fractured and splintered, consistent with powered rotation at impact.
Medical and Pathological Information
The New Orleans Forensic Center performed an autopsy on the pilot, determining the cause of death as multiple blunt force injuries. The FAA Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicology testing on specimens from the pilot, which were negative for alcohol and other drugs.
Fire
The post-crash fire consumed the airplane. There was no evidence of an on-board fire prior to impact.