Event LAX98LA150

Factual narrative

On April 23, 1998, at 1100 hours Pacific daylight time, a Pitts S-2B, N6027V, struck high brush and ground looped after landing at Metz field, a private dirt strip located in Greenfield, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage and the commercial rated pilot/owner was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the flight and no flight plan was filed. The pilot reported that the winds were from 100 degrees at 10 to 15 knots, and that he was landing to the south. After touchdown the aircraft veered to the right of the dirt strip and struck high brush. The pilot stated that the right wing caught on the brush and the aircraft ground looped. He reported that there were no mechanical abnormalities noted with the aircraft. A Federal Aviation Administration inspector from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office reported that the dirt strip is approximately 30 to 50 feet wide. He further reported that on either side of the runway there is brush that is approximately 2 to 4 feet tall. After landing the aircraft veered right of centerline. The right wing struck high brush and ground looped. The pilot noted no mechanical malfunctions. The dirt strip is approximately 30 to 50 feet wide and brush located on both sides of the runway was approximately 2 to 4 feet tall. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12