Pitts S1 and amateur-built VARIEZE accident near Torrance, California, January 19, 2019
On January 19, 2019 at about 4:50 pm local time, 2 aircraft, Pitts S1 (N31WK) and amateur-built VARIEZE (N27GM), were involved in the same accident near Torrance, California (Zamperini Field). 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The biplane pilot’s inadequate visual lookout while taxing, which resulted in a ground collision.
The biplane pilot’s inadequate visual lookout while taxing, which resulted in a ground collision.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- January 19, 2019 · about 4:50 pm local time
- Place
- Torrance, California · Zamperini Field · map
- Type
- Accident · collision on the ground
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries; 1 other was unhurt.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft 1
- Pitts S1 T, built 1995 · all S1s on the register
- Registration
- N31WK · registry record · serial 1060
- Damage
- Minor damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
- Aircraft 2
- Amateur-built VARIEZE No Series, built 1980
- Registration
- N27GM · registry record · serial 1053
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative for the Pitts S1 final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane had landed and was taxiing to his hangar while monitoring the control tower frequency. The pilot did not perform S-turns during his taxi and was not informed of another airplane in his proximity. The pilot of a low-wing airplane was parked near a movement boundary area. He watched the biplane taxi down the taxiway without performing S-turns. The pilot of the low-wing airplane had previously contacted the ground controller and was not informed of the taxiing biplane. The biplane impacted the low-wing airplane, resulting in substantial damage to the low-wing airplane and minor damage to the biplane. The pilot of the biplane stated that he had limited forward visibility, and he may have prevented the accident had he made more S-turns, and if both airplanes had been on the same frequency at the time of the collision. Both pilots stated that there were no mechanical problems with their respective airplanes.
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 amateur-built VARIEZE final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane had landed and was taxiing to his hangar while monitoring the control tower frequency. The pilot did not perform S-turns during his taxi and was not informed of another airplane in his proximity. The pilot of a low-wing airplane was parked near a movement boundary area. He watched the biplane taxi down the taxiway without performing S-turns. The pilot of the low-wing airplane had previously contacted the ground controller and was not informed of the taxiing biplane. The biplane impacted the low-wing airplane, resulting in substantial damage to the low-wing airplane and minor damage to the biplane. The pilot of the biplane stated that he had limited forward visibility, and he may have prevented the accident had he made more S-turns, and if both airplanes had been on the same frequency at the time of the collision. Both pilots stated that there were no mechanical problems with their respective airplanes.
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 S1 from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during taxi defining event
- Loss of visual reference during taxi
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Task monitoring/vigilance › Pilot
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Aircraft › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 1,500 hours in all; 310 in this make and model; 15 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 100 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: January 18, 2019
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: unk
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 348.5 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, July 7, 2018
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming AEIO-360-A1E (piston); 348 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TOA Torrance CA at 4:30 pm
- Destination: TOA Torrance CA
- Flight plan: none
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 63°F (17°C), dew point 46°F (8°C)
- Altimeter: 30.20 inHg
- Observation at 4:56 pm from TOA
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
The factual record for the amateur-built VARIEZE from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Ground collision during standing (engine(s) operating) defining event
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Task monitoring/vigilance › Pilot of other aircraft
- cause Personnel issues › Psychological › Attention/monitoring › Monitoring environment › Pilot of other aircraft
- cause Environmental issues › Physical environment › Object/animal/substance › Aircraft › Effect on operation
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 124 hours in all; 41 in this make and model; 13 in the last 90 days; 5 in the last 30 days; 86 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 1,167 hours
- Last inspection: condition inspection, January 13, 2018
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Continental O-200-A (piston); 3,747 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: TOA Torrance CA at 4:50 pm
- Destination: TOA Torrance CA
- Flight plan: none
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The NTSB has not released the docket for this case yet. The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), is usually released when the investigation is nearly complete, and the list here is refreshed when it appears. Check 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.