Amateur-built PITTS-S-1D accident near Larned, Kansas, May 7, 1990
On May 7, 1990, a amateur-built PITTS-S-1D, registered N64585, was substantially damaged in an accident near Larned, Kansas (Larned airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
FAILURE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR ATTACHMENT STRUT, DUE TO FATIGUE.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 7, 1990 · cases in 1990
- Place
- Larned, Kansas · Larned · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 1 person was on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Amateur-built PITTS-S-1D
- Registration
- N64585 · registry record · serial 7-0311
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE COMMERCIAL PLT SAID THAT WHILE ROLLING OUT, DURING TAKEOFF AND LDGS PRACTICE, HE HEARD A POPPING NOISE. THE RIGHT WING BEGAN TO DROP, SO A GO-AROUND WAS EXECUTED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO LAND, THINKING THE CROSS WIND WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM, HE LANDED. AFTER ABOUT 150 FEET INTO THE ROLLOUT, THE AIRCRAFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. POST ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE WELD ON THE RIGHT LANDING GEAR STRUT HAD FAILED.
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
- Flight time: 1,423 hours in all; 32 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 1,150 lb
- Seats: 1
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming HO-360-B1B (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LQR at 11:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 22, 3,100 ft by 175 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 170° at 13 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 70°F (21°C), dew point 45°F (7°C)
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N64585 on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: Lycoming HO-360-B1B 2 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Larned-Pawnee County · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Kansas 1,147 since 1982 · 149 in the last ten years
- Kansas 5,745 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/MKC90LA102.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
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 does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.