Colorado Aviation Accidents & Incidents

On January 11, 2004, at approximately 1230 mountain standard time, an Aerotek Pitts Special S-1S, N362JW, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during landing roll at Crawford Airport (99V), Crawford, Colorado. The commercial certificated pilot, the sole occupant on board, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. No flight plan had been filed for the local flight being conducted under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed at approximately 1130.

According to the accident report submitted by the pilot, he had entered the traffic pattern for touch-and-go landings on runway 07. He stated that a snowplow had made a path approximately 30 feet wide, with snow embankments on both sides of the runway. During the landing flare, the airplane drifted to the right. The right wheel caught in the snow and the airplane nosed over and slid approximately 30 to 40 feet before rolling upright again. The right wing tip and aileron were crushed; the right elevator and horizontal stabilizer bent and the rudder and vertical stabilizer were crushed. The pilot stated "no mechanical abnormalities [were] noted prior to [the] accident." An examination of the airplane's systems revealed no anomalies. the pilot's failure to maintain directional control and his failure to maintain clearance from the snow bank during the landing. A factor contributing to the accident was the snow bank.