Pitts S-2B and Cessna 152 accident near Easton, Maryland, November 28, 1998
On November 28, 1998 at about 4:19 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Pitts S-2B (N340PS) and Cessna 152 (N5088Q), were involved in the same accident near Easton, Maryland (Easton/Newnam Field). 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The failure of both the pilot-in-command (CFI) and dual student to maintain adequate visual lookout.
The failure of both the pilot-in-command (CFI) and dual student of the other aircraft (Pitts) to maintain adequate visual lookout.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- November 28, 1998 · about 4:19 pm local time
- Place
- Easton, Maryland · Easton/Newnam Field · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person was seriously injured and 1 person had minor injuries; 2 others were unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Pitts S-2B · all S-2Bs on the register
- Registration
- N340PS · registry record · serial 5338
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 152 · all 152s on the register
- Registration
- N5088Q · registry record · serial 15285070
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Pitts S-2B final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercially rated student pilot, who was training for a tailwheel endorsement and checkout in the aircraft, was occupying the rear seat of the Pitts. The commercially rated pilot-in-command, a flight instructor, was occupying the forward seat of the Pitts. After arriving in the pattern and conducting several touch-and-go landings on runway 22, the student pilot initiated another approach as he was passing slightly downwind of the abeam position. The instructor reported making a radio call announcing 'Pitts turning base' and then, midway through the base turn, reported hearing a radio transmission from a Cessna aircraft in the pattern which was following the Pitts. Both the student and instructor reported that on final approach, the Pitts was flared for landing during which the aircraft collided with a Cessna 152 which had just landed and was preparing to clear the runway at the first taxiway. Both the student and instructor reported that they did not see the Cessna during their approach. The pilot of the Cessna following the Pitts in the pattern reported hearing the Cessna 152 call base on the airport's Unicom frequency, and described the conditions as clear and sunny.
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 NTSB's narrative for the Cessna 152 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The commercially rated student pilot, who was training for a tailwheel endorsement and checkout in the aircraft, was occupying the rear seat of the Pitts. The commercially rated pilot-in-command, a flight instructor, was occupying the forward seat of the Pitts. After arriving in the pattern and conducting several touch-and-go landings on runway 22, the student pilot initiated another approach as he was passing slightly downwind of the abeam position. The instructor reported making a radio call announcing 'Pitts turning base' and then, midway through the base turn, reported hearing a radio transmission from a Cessna aircraft in the pattern which was following the Pitts. Both the student and instructor reported that on final approach, the Pitts was flared for landing during which the aircraft collided with a Cessna 152 which had just landed and was preparing to clear the runway at the first taxiway. Both the student and instructor reported that they did not see the Cessna during their approach. The pilot of the Cessna following the Pitts in the pattern reported hearing the Cessna 152 call base on the airport's Unicom frequency, and described the conditions as clear and sunny.
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 for the Pitts S-2B from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,199 hours in all; 4,000 in this make and model; 3,000 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 189 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 9, 1998; 74 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: ANP Annapolis MD at 3:30 pm
- Destination: ESN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 5,511 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 240° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 25,000 ft
- Temperature: 61°F (16°C), dew point 28°F (-2°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 3:50 pm from SBY, 38 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
The factual record for the Cessna 152 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 419 hours in all; 62 in this make and model; 12 in the last 90 days; 12 in the last 30 days; 380 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,841 hours
- Last inspection: 100-hour inspection, November 25, 1998; 2 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,670 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming O-235 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: W29 Stevensville MD at 4:00 pm
- Destination: ESN
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 5,511 ft by 100 ft
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
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.