Aerotek PITTS SPEC N55MF accident near Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania

Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing rollout.

NTSB analysis

The pilot completed three orbits above the airfield before attempting to land on runway 28. During the landing the airplane became unstable. The pilot applied rapid deflections of the rudder and kept the airplane straight momentarily, but ultimately it continued veering to the left. He applied full right rudder, full right brake , and power. In the process, the airplane “tipped forward” onto the right main landing gear and rolled onto the right wing tip. The propeller contacted the runway several times before the airplane exited the left side of the runway at about a 70-degree angle and nosed over. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical difficulties with the airplane. Wind at the time was from the southwest at approximately 7 knots.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA09CA307 for the full record.