NYC00LA151

Factual narrative

On June 4, 2000, at 0820 Eastern Daylight Time, a homebuilt Pitts Special S-1, N63DM, was substantially damaged during a landing at Meriden Markham Municipal Airport (MMK), Meriden, Connecticut. The certificated private pilot was not injured, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. No flight plan had been filed for the flight, between Danbury Municipal Airport (DXR), Danbury, Connecticut, and Meriden. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he landed the airplane on Runway 18. Upon touchdown, the tailwheel-equipped airplane appeared to be on the left side of the runway, so the pilot applied right rudder. The airplane then veered to the right, so the pilot applied left rudder. The airplane continued to the right, so the pilot applied, and then locked, the brakes. The airplane flipped over its nose, and onto its back. The pilot estimated the airspeed of the airplane to be at 30 miles per hour when the accident occurred. Winds, recorded at the airport 24 minutes before the accident, were calm. After touchdown, the tailwheel-equipped airplane was on the left side of the runway, so the pilot applied right rudder. The airplane then veered to the right, so the pilot applied left rudder. The airplane continued to the right, so the pilot applied, then locked the brakes while the airplane was still traveling about 30 miles per hour. The airplane flipped over its nose, and onto its back. Winds, around the time of the accident, were calm. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12