Pitts S-2A N11JC accident near Stoughton, Wisconsin

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during landing.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that while performing a touch and go landing to a private turf strip and due to forward visibility limitations in the airplane, he was in a slip during approach with the left rudder applied and the right wing in a low attitude. The wind was from the southwest at 8 to 10 knots, and he maneuvered the airplane to land to the north. The pilot stated that during the touchdown, the airplane pulled to the left, and the left wing contacted tall grass on the left side of the runway, which pulled the airplane further to the left. The pilot then lost airplane control and was unable to remain on the turf strip. The airplane came to rest upright in the grass. The airplane sustained substantial damage to both wings. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures that contributed to the accident, but thought the brake might have locked up during the landing. The reported brake issue could not be substantiated, and further information could not be obtained from the pilot.

The pilot did not possess a rating for single-engine land airplanes but had flown 2,159 hours in single-engine airplanes and 174 hours in the accident airplane make and model. The pilot’s most recent flight review was about 5 years prior to the accident.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN25LA024 for the full record.