Pitts S2 accident near Seoul, Kr, September 24, 2016
On September 24, 2016 at about 11:32 am local time, a Pitts S2, registered HL1161, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (aerobatics) near Seoul. 1 person was killed.
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The NTSB has not yet published a probable cause for this accident. Investigations usually take one to two years; this page updates when the final report is released.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 24, 2016 · about 11:32 am local time
- Place
- Seoul, South Korea · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- not recorded
- Aircraft
- Pitts S2 · all S2s on the register
- Registration
- HL1161 · no longer on the register
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Flight
The NTSB's narrative preliminary · quoted from the NTSB record
On September 24, 2016 , about 1132 local time, an Aviat Pitts S-2B airplane, Republic of Korea registration number HL1161, operated by the pilot, was destroyed following an impact with terrain during an airshow at Taean Airfield, Republic of Korea. The pilot and sole occupant received fatal injuries. The AVIATION and RAILWAY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BOARD, Republic of Korea is investigating the accident. As the state of manufacture of the airplane, the NTSB has designated a U.S. Accredited Representative under the provisions of Annex 13 to the Convention on Civil Aviation to assist AVIATION and RAILWAY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BOARD in their investigation. All inquiries concerning this accident should be directed to: AVIATION and RAILWAY ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION BOARD Ministry of Land, Infrastructure Land and Transport, Republic Of Korea Government Building 5-603, #94 dasom 2 ro, Sejong City, 339-012, Republic Of Korea Aviation and Railway Accident Aviation and Railway Accident
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Unknown or undetermined during maneuvering (aerobatics) defining event
The aircraft
- Landing gear: fixed
Weather at the time
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.