Amateur-built PITTS SPECIAL S 1 N27832 accident near New Bern, North Carolina

Probable cause

A loss of biplane control during aerobatic maneuvers for reasons that could not be determined because a portion of the biplane's flight control system was not recovered and could not be tested.

NTSB analysis

The commercial pilot reported that he was practicing aerobatics in the experimental, amateur-built biplane over a river. During the maneuvers, as he input left aileron, the control stick was stiff, and he believed he observed abnormal movement of the upper left aileron. He then applied more force to free the control stick and input right aileron; however, the airplane rolled left and entered a spin. The pilot was unable to recover from the spin and subsequently parachuted from the airplane. The airplane came to rest at the bottom of the river.

Examination of the recovered wreckage revealed that most of the left wings' parts, including the ailerons and aileron control tubes, were not recovered. As such, control continuity could not be verified or tested.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for ERA17LA031 for the full record.