ATL04LA161

Factual narrative

On July 23, 2004, at 1537 eastern daylight time, a Long Pitts Special S1S experimental airplane, N60D, registered to a private owner and operated by the private pilot, collided with an airport sign at the Craven County Regional Airport, New Bern, North Carolina. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR Part 91 with no flight plan filed. Visual metrological conditions prevailed. The private pilot reported no injuries, and the airplane sustained substantial damage. The local flight departed New Bern, North Carolina, at 1525 on July 23, 2004. The pilot stated he flew the airplane in the local area, then returned to the airport and was cleared to land on runway 22. The pilot stated he intended a full-stop landing. He stated that, during landing roll, a wind gust picked up the left wings and pushed the airplane to the right of the runway. He stated that he added power to go-around, and the airplane's lower right wing collided with an airport runway/taxiway sign. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right side of the fuselage, the right main landing gear, the propeller, and the lower right wing. The weather observation station for the airport reported at 1542 winds were from 180 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 5 statute miles with haze, with lightning distant west and northwest. The pilot stated he had just purchased the airplane. At the time of the accident, Federal Aviation Administration records did not yet reflect the ownership change. The pilot stated that, during landing roll on runway 22, a wind gust picked up the left wings and pushed the airplane to the right of the runway. He stated he added power to go around, and the airplane's right wing collided with an airport runway/taxiway sign. Examination of the airplane revealed damage to the right side of the fuselage, the right main landing gear, the propeller, and the lower right wing. The weather observation station for the airport reported at 1542 winds were from 180 degrees at 10 knots, visibility 5 statute miles with haze, with lightning distant west and northwest. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12