NTSB Factual Report

On May 11, 2002, at 1050 Pacific daylight time, an amateur-built Ham Pitts S-1C, N1PH, veered off runway 7 and nosed over after encountering soft soil while landing at the Borrego Springs, California, airport. The airplane, operated by the pilot under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and included calm wind conditions. The cross-country personal flight originated at Santa Ana, California, at 1000, and was destined for Borrego Springs.

The pilot was interviewed by telephone and reported that the landing was normal. Near the end of the landing roll on runway 7, the aircraft veered left off the runway. He said that he was unable to correct the alignment before the airplane departed the paved runway surface and it nosed over after encountering soft desert-like soil. The pilot stated that there were no mechanical malfunctions of the airplane.

Through a written statement given by the pilot on May 23, 2002, he stated that as the aircraft veered left he applied full right rudder and brake; however, the aircraft continued into a ground loop. The ground loop caused him to go off of the runway where the aircraft hit the soft sand.

The airport manager reported that she saw the airplane touch down on runway 7, and that the landing appeared normal. The airplane was near the end of the ground roll at a slow speed when it veered off the pavement and nosed over. The manager noted that the wings and tail sustained damage. At the time of the accident, the sky was clear and the winds were calm.

NTSB Probable Cause

The failure of the pilot to maintain control of the airplane during landing rollout resulting in a ground loop/swerve and a nose over. The soft terrain was a factor.