Pitts S-1S N230MP
13 September 1996 · Reno, Nevada, United States · No injuries
Summary
On 13 September 1996 at about 16:15 local time, a Pitts S-1S registered N230MP was involved in an accident near Reno, Nevada, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 16:15
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Reno, Nevada, United States
- Nearest airport
- Reno Stead (4SD)
- Coordinates
- 39.7096, -119.8204
- Aircraft
- Pitts S-1S
- Registration
- N230MP
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Not recorded
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Unknown
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Aircraft damage
- Substantial
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- LAX96LA336
People
Nobody was injured.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
Probable cause
The pilot of N230MP inadequate visual lookout while landing on a runway occupied by another known aircraft. A factor in the accident was the procedure to allow simultaneous landings by aircraft on the same runway.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
The two Pitts S-1S aircraft collided after landing on runway 26. The airplanes were participating in the Reno Air Races and had completed a biplane class heat race under a waiver approved by the Federal Aviation Administration. The pilot of N230MP indicated that he observed N15HR about 0.25 miles ahead of his position while on final approach to the runway. He said N15HR touched down on the right side of the runway and he planned to touch down on the left side. The pilot then indicated he lost sight of N15HR while his airplane was floating during the landing flare. A few seconds after a three point touchdown the pilot saw N15HR on his right side and was unable to avoid the collision. The pilot of N15HR indicated after the landing roll she turned left while taxiing about 5 miles per hour to exit the runway and was struck from behind. The pilot also indicated before she turned she cleared left and did not see any other airplane on the runway. Procedures in place for the air race provided for the simultaneous landing of two biplanes on the same runway to facilitate the show.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Aircraft involved
| Aircraft | Registration | Operator | Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pitts S-1S S-1S | N230MP | - | Substantial |
| Pitts S-1S S-1S | N15HR | - | Substantial |
Other Pitts S-1S accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Jul 1995 | Pitts S-1S | Livermore, California, United States | Carol A. Christian | No injuries | - |
| 15 Jul 1994 | Pitts S-1S | Stevensville, Maryland, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 5 Aug 1992 | Pitts S-1S | Galion, Ohio, United States | Stuart T. Pressey | No injuries | - |
| 19 Dec 2001 | Pitts S-1S | Sanford, Florida, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 2 Jun 1989 | Pitts S-1S | Henryetta, Oklahoma, United States | Arsenault, Donald S. | Serious injuries | - |
| 16 Oct 1988 | Pitts S-1S | Ridgeway, Virginia, United States | Carroll Messer | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Mar 1996 | Cessna 152 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Aerleon Flight School | No injuries | - |
| 6 Oct 1996 | Piper PA-28-180 | Ely, Nevada, United States | Michael E. Scholl | Serious injuries | - |
| 14 Mar 1996 | Burkhart Grob G102 | Minden, Nevada, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 22 Mar 1996 | Beechcraft E33A | Mesquite, Nevada, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 8 Oct 1996 | Bellanca 17-30A | Jackpot, Nevada, United States | - | Serious injuries | - |
| 6 Apr 1996 | Let BLANIK L-13 | Jean, Nevada, United States | - | No injuries | - |