Pitts S1S and Cessna 172RG mid-air collision near Westminister, California, August 28, 2000
On August 28, 2000 at about 1:50 am local time, 2 aircraft, Pitts S1S (N9PJ) and Cessna 172RG (N6225R), were involved in a mid-air collision near Westminister, California. No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
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The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot of the Pitts misjudged the clearance while maneuvering under the Cessna.
The pilot of the Pitts misjudged the clearance while maneuvering under the Cessna.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 4, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- August 28, 2000 · about 1:50 am local time
- Place
- Westminister, California
- Type
- Accident · mid-air collision
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Pitts S1S · all S1Ss on the register
- Registration
- N9PJ · registry record · serial 1-0037
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Cessna 172RG · all 172RGs on the register
- Registration
- N6225R · registry record · serial 172RG0122
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Pitts S1S final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplanes collided in-flight as the Pitts maneuvered from behind to in front of the Cessna. The pilots stated they were flying each other's airplane. The pilots established radio and visual contact with each other. The Pitts assumed a trail position behind the Cessna. The Pitts varied its distance and position relative to the Cessna. Cruise altitude was about 1,000 feet. The Cessna turned left and began a gradual climb to 1,500 feet. About 1,400 feet, the Pitts pilot advised the Cessna pilot to hold still and the Cessna pilot acknowledged. The Cessna pilot leveled off and held his course. He knew from their years of flying together that the Pitts pilot would come below him. As the Pitts maneuvered from behind to in front of the Cessna, the Cessna's propeller severed the top half of the Pitts' vertical stabilizer and rudder. The Cessna's damaged propeller set up a vibration. The Pitts pilot maintained control of his airplane. The pilots discussed their options and elected to divert to Fullerton. They advised the tower of their situation and asked for emergency equipment to be on hand. The Cessna pilot landed first, and the Pitts pilot evaluated the amount of control available. After the emergency equipment arrived, the Pitts landed uneventfully.
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 172RG final · quoted from the NTSB record
The airplanes collided in-flight as the Pitts maneuvered from behind to in front of the Cessna. The pilots stated they were flying each other's airplane. The pilots established radio and visual contact with each other. The Pitts assumed a trail position behind the Cessna. The Pitts varied its distance and position relative to the Cessna. Cruise altitude was about 1,000 feet. The Cessna turned left and began a gradual climb to 1,500 feet. About 1,400 feet, the Pitts pilot advised the Cessna pilot to hold still and the Cessna pilot acknowledged. The Cessna pilot leveled off and held his course. He knew from their years of flying together that the Pitts pilot would come below him. As the Pitts maneuvered from behind to in front of the Cessna, the Cessna's propeller severed the top half of the Pitts' vertical stabilizer and rudder. The Cessna's damaged propeller set up a vibration. The Pitts pilot maintained control of his airplane. The pilots discussed their options and elected to divert to Fullerton. They advised the tower of their situation and asked for emergency equipment to be on hand. The Cessna pilot landed first, and the Pitts pilot evaluated the amount of control available. After the emergency equipment arrived, the Pitts landed uneventfully.
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 S1S from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: glider; instructor: helicopter; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 5,800 hours in all; 39 in this make and model; 157 in the last 90 days; 44 in the last 30 days; 5,690 as pilot in command; 22 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 904 hours
- Last inspection: approved inspection programme, January 1, 2000; 28 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-360-B4A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LGB Long Beach CA at 1:40 am
- Destination: CCB Upland CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 158°F (70°C), dew point 145°F (63°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observation at 1:53 am from FUL, 5 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
The factual record for the Cessna 172RG from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 1,919 hours in all; 132 in this make and model; 27 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 1,834 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: left
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 3,201 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, October 1, 1999; 85 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,650 lb
- Seats: 4
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Lycoming O-360-F16A (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LGB Long Beach CA at 1:40 am
- Destination: CCB Upland CA
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
About this page
Everything above comes from the NTSB's public accident database: the narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words, and the coded tables behind its report (pilot, aircraft, flight, weather, injuries, sequence of events) are written out in plain English. Pilots' ages, home towns and medical details are left out on purpose. The docket at the NTSB holds the report as a PDF and the investigation's photographs and documents. This site never names pilots, passengers or anyone else involved. A preliminary report describes what is known soon after the event and can change; the final report, with the probable cause, usually follows one to two years later and this page is refreshed when it does. Case number LAX00LA315.