Pitts S2 accident near New Orleans, Louisiana, August 16, 2019
On August 16, 2019 at about 8:06 pm local time, a 1983 Pitts S2, registered N600DF, was destroyed in an accident during approach (VFR pattern downwind) near New Orleans, Louisiana (Lakefront airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people were killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
A loss of control for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 16, 2019 · about 8:06 pm local time
- Place
- New Orleans, Louisiana · Lakefront · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Pitts S2 B, built 1983 · all S2s on the register
- Registration
- N600DF · no longer on the register · serial 5027
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The passenger, a TV news anchor, was filming a documentary on the pilot, which included a local flight in the pilot's aerobatic airplane. The airplane departed and turned onto the downwind leg of the airport traffic pattern. The pilot requested to return to the airport but did not specify the reason for the return. A witness described the airplane as, “unstable” and “wiggling,” and said that the engine was sputtering before the airplane impacted the ground and burst into flames. The airplane impacted terrain in an approximate 45° nose-down pitch attitude and was consumed by a post-impact fire. Examination of the flight controls and engine did not reveal any obvious pre-impact anomalies, although severe fire damage precluded complete examination. The wooden propeller blades were severely fractured and splintered, consistent with powered rotation at the time of impact. The reason for the loss of control and impact with terrain could not be determined based on the available information.
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
- Loss of control in flight during approach (VFR pattern downwind) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- Not determined › Not determined › (general) › (general) › Unknown/Not determined
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 20,000 hours in all; 1,200 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (without waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,731 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 2, 2018
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540 (piston); 2,731 hours total
- Fire on the ground
- Operator: Drug Fighter LLC
The flight
- Departed from: NEW New Orleans LA at 6:05 pm
- Destination: NEW New Orleans LA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36R, 3,697 ft by 75 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 320° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 93°F (34°C), dew point 75°F (24°C)
- Altimeter: 29.95 inHg
- Observation at 7:53 pm from NEW
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
6 documents, released by the NTSB on February 23, 2022. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excerpt from FAA Accident Package with Summary of New Tower and Pilot Communications CEN19FA270 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 2 | Memorandum for the Record Airframe Examinations Findings CEN19FA270 | PDF, 3 pages | View Download |
| 3 | Memorandum for the Record Engine Examination Findings CEN19FA270 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Memorandum for the Record Video Review Summary CEN19FA270 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 5 | Memorandum for the Record Witness and Personnel Statements CEN19FA270 | PDF, 2 pages | View Download |
| 6 | Toxicology Report CEN19FA270 | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
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.