Amateur-built PITTS MODEL 12 accident near New Smyrna Bch, Florida, May 9, 2000
On May 9, 2000 at about 6:30 pm local time, a amateur-built PITTS MODEL 12, registered N69BM, was destroyed in an accident near New Smyrna Bch, Florida. 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
the pilot's loss of control in flight for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 9, 2000 · about 6:30 pm local time
- Place
- New Smyrna Bch, Florida · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people were killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PITTS MODEL 12 PITTS MODE
- Registration
- N69BM · no longer on the register · serial 003
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
N69BM was discovered in a burnt out area, with two occupants in the wreckage. Subsequent investigation by the sheriff's office revealed that the pilot had been flying N69BM in formation with other aircraft, and had discontinued the return flight to practice aerobatics, and was reported missing by his wife after he did not return home. The medical examiner's office later verified the identities of the individuals who had been found in the wreckage, as those who had been reported missing by the pilot's wife. Postcrash examination of the burnt wreckage revealed that the airframe had incurred extensive damage consistent with hard ground impact, in an inverted position, and there were no indicators of any mechanical malfunctions to the aircraft or its systems. The propeller signatures found, were consistent with an engine producing power at impact.
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: commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 6,174 hours in all; 20 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 25, 2000
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Vendeneyev M-14P (piston); 0 hours total
- Fire on the ground
The flight
- Departed from: DED Deland FL at 5:45 pm
- Destination: 7FL6 Daytona Beach FL
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 110° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 82°F (28°C), dew point 66°F (19°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 6:30 pm from DAB
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.