Probable cause
The pilot's excessive landing speed and subsequent excessive brake application which resulted in a loss of control and impact with an airport sign.
NTSB analysis
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the pilot had just completed practice for his air show performance and was landing on runway 26. The pilot stated that he landed fast and while braking to make an intersection, the brakes became hot and the right brake began to fade. The airplane began to track to the left and the pilot steered the airplane between two taxi lights. The airplane impacted a taxiway sign, breaking the right lower right inboard spar. The pilot did not see the sign prior to impact. An examination of the airplane, conducted by the FAA, revealed no mechanical anomalies.
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN09CA520 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Aug 13, 2009
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Rifle, Colorado
- Nearest airport
- Garfield County Regional Airpo (KRIL)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
PITTS S2S
- N-number
- N540S
- Category
- Airplane
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Air show
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.