Aviat S-2C accident near Sheridan, Indiana, September 25, 2002
On September 25, 2002 at about 10:08 pm local time, a Aviat S-2C, registered N116PS, was destroyed in an accident near Sheridan, Indiana (Indianapolis Terry Airport). It was an instructional 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
The pilot's failure to maintain adequate altitude and airspeed while performing an aerobatic maneuver. Contributing factors were the pilot-in-command exceeding the aircraft weight and balance, and his inadequate preflight planning/preparation.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- September 25, 2002 · about 10:08 pm local time
- Place
- Sheridan, Indiana · Indianapolis Terry Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Aviat S-2C
- Registration
- N116PS · registry record · serial 6020
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The Aviat Pitts S-2C was seen performing a tail slide when it fell backwards and entered an inverted spin from an altitude of about 2,500 feet above ground level. A witness stated that the airplane had been making smoke during aerobatics, but not during the tail slide. The airplane climbed to about 2,000 feet (AGL) and fell over on its back. He added, "There is no question that the aircraft was on its back." The airplane began spinning and turned 6 times before it appeared to begin to recover. He estimated that if the airplane had an additional 1,000 feet, it would have made a safe recovery. He also stated that there was engine noise. The front seat pilot had experience competing in aerobatic contests and the rear seat pilot was a certified flight instructor who provided aerobatic instruction to pilots in the accident airplane. Both pilots were equipped with emergency parachutes and were found with their restraint harnesses secured. The emergency parachute owner's manual states that pilots should know and rehearse their emergency procedures and mentally organize their bailout procedures. The airplane's canopy was with the wreckage and in the locked position. The flight originated in an over weight aft center of gravity configuration about 15 minutes before the accident. Examination of the flight control system and engine revealed no anomalies which would have precluded normal operation.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: fatal
Flight instructor
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Seat: rear
- Injury: fatal
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 49.3 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 5, 2000; 283.9 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,700 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-540-D4A5 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TYQ Indianapolis IN at 9:50 pm
- Destination: TYQ
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 5,500 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 020° at 4 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 73°F (23°C), dew point 52°F (11°C)
- Altimeter: 30.11 inHg
- Observation at 9:53 pm from EYE, 22 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket 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.