Pitts S1C N12073

Summary

On 7 May 1997 at about 15:30 local time, a Pitts S1C registered N12073 was involved in an accident near Salem, Ohio, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

7 May 1997 at 15:30

Classification

Accident

Location

Salem, Ohio, United States

Nearest airport

Salem Airpark (38D)

Coordinates

40.8998, -80.8507

Aircraft

Pitts S1C

Registration

N12073

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Unknown → Lebanon

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC97LA087

1 person had minor injuries.

the pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control during the initial takeoff climb. Factors relating to the accident were the pilot's lack of experience in the make and model of airplane, and the gusty crosswind conditions.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

During the takeoff roll, the airplane veered left, and the pilot counteracted with right rudder. The airplane's left wing then dropped, and the pilot rotated at 70 knots to avoid a wing strike. As the airplane became airborne, it rolled inverted to the left. The pilot applied full forward elevator; however, the airplane settled and impacted the ground. The pilot had 1 hour in make and model, and he reported that the crosswind conditions and his lack of experience in make and model contributed to the accident. About 25 miles west at Akron, OH, the 1251 EDT wind was from 010 degrees at 11 gusting 26 knots.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.