Mercer, PA, USA
N184MH
Hanek Pitts S1S
The airplane was departing from runway 27, a 2,000-foot-long, 250-foot-wide, turf runway. According to the pilot, a "u-shaped" cluster of trees surrounded the east end of the runway. As the airplane accelerated it began to bounce, and when the airplane passed the cluster of trees, it was exposed to a 10 knot crosswind from the north. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, entered a corn field and nosed over. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. Winds reported at an airport that was located about 17 miles northeast of the accident site, about 15 minutes prior to the accident, were from 360 degrees at 6 knots. Winds reported about 5 minutes after the accident, were calm.
On August 23, 2005, about 1330 eastern daylight time, an amateur built Pitts S1S, N184MH, was substantially damaged during takeoff from the Nelson's Run Airport, Mercer, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot sustained minor injures. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The airplane was departing from runway 27, a 2,000-foot-long, 250-foot-wide, turf runway. According to the pilot, a "u-shaped" cluster of trees surrounded the east end of the runway. As the airplane accelerated it began to bounce, and when the airplane passed the cluster of trees, it was exposed to a 10 knot crosswind from the north. The airplane veered off the left side of the runway, entered a corn field and nosed over. The pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions with the airplane. He reported 1,500 hours of total flight experience, which included 115 hours in make and model. At 1315, winds reported at an airport that was located about 17 miles northeast of the accident site, were from 360 degrees at 6 knots. At 1335, the winds were reported as calm.
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff, which resulted in an on ground encounter with crops. A factor in this accident was the crosswind condition, as reported by the pilot.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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