Event NYC96LA007

Factual narrative

On October 13, 1995, at 1445 eastern daylight time, a Pitts S-1S, N792, was substantially damaged while performing a forced landing at the Vansant Airport, Erwinna, Pennsylvania. The private pilot was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local flight which was conducted under 14 CFR 91, and had departed from the Alexandria Airport, Pittstown, New Jersey, about 1430. The pilot reported that, while in cruise flight at 2,500 feet, the engine oil pressure dropped to zero. He reduced the power to idle and established a straight-in approach to runway 25, at Vansant. As he neared the airport, another airplane pulled onto the runway for departure. The pilot reported that he side-stepped to the left side of the runway and continued with the landing. The landing area was rough, and the airplane bounced, after which it came to rest upside down, on the runway. According to the Airport/Facility Directory, runway 25 had a turf surface, was 3,058 feet long, and 120 feet wide. The pilot reported that the upper and lower wing tips of both wings were damaged, the bottom wing spar was fractured, and the landing gear had collapsed. The engine continued to rotate throughout the approach and landing, and no oil was visible on the outside of the airplane after the landing. According to an FAA Airworthiness Inspector, no metal particles were found in the engine. A manual oil pressure gauge was installed to the oil pressure outlet on the accessory case. When the engine was rotated by the starter, 80 pounds of oil pressure registered on the gauge. An FAA Operations Inspector reported that the area where the airplane touched down was useable for landing. The pilot reported the following flight times: Total Time 150 hours Total Tail Wheel Time 40 hours Pitts Time - Dual 10 hours Pitts Time - Solo 25 hours All Flying Last 12 Months 0 hours Additionally, the pilot's last medical, a third class certificate, was issued on February 27, 1992, and his last biennial flight review occurred on January 25, 1993. The pilot failed to complete the NTSB Form 6120.1/2. In addition, he did not return telephone messages. While in cruise flight the oil pressure dropped to zero. The pilot retarded the throttle and set up for a forced landing on a turf runway. On final approach another airplane pulled onto the runway in front of him. The pilot side-stepped to the left and continued with the approach and touchdown. The airplane bounced, during which the landing gear collapsed, and a lower wing spar was fractured. The airplane came to rest inverted. Testing with a direct reading oil pressure gauge revealed oil pressure when the engine was rotated with the starter. The pilot had not flown an airplane in the preceeding year, and his medical certificate and flight review had expired. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12