Aviat PITTS S-2B N46BT

Summary

On 19 September 2011 at about 15:50 local time, a Aviat PITTS S-2B registered N46BT, operated by Sowell Paul A, was involved in an accident near Redlands, California, United States. One person was on board and one was seriously injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

19 September 2011 at 15:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Redlands, California, United States

Nearest airport

Redlands Municipal Airport (REI)

Coordinates

34.0850, -117.1461

Aircraft

Aviat PITTS S-2B

Registration

N46BT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Sowell Paul A

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Redlands → Redlands

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR11LA458

1 person was seriously injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s impairment from alcohol.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane stalled while maneuvering at a low altitude. He attempted to recover from the stall; however, the airplane continued to descend and subsequently collided with terrain. First responders to the accident site reported that they noted an odor of alcohol when they spoke to the pilot at the accident site. About one hour after the accident, a blood sample from the pilot was secured and later tested for alcohol intoxicants. The test results showed that the pilot’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) was .04 percent. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, effects of a BAC of .04 percent can include decreased attention, impaired judgment, and increased reaction time. The pilot later reported that he had consumed alcohol prior to the accident flight. The pilot also reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operations.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.