N9060N

On October 24, 1995, at 0806 hours Pacific daylight time, a Pitts Special S-1C, N9060N, collided with rocks and water during a go-around at San Carlos airport, San Carlos, California. The pilot was not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The aircraft was owned and operated by the pilot and was returning from a local personal flight when the accident occurred. The flight originated in San Carlos at 0745. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed.

The certificated private pilot reported that he touched down just past the tower (midfield on the 2,600-foot-long runway), and realized that he would be unable to stop before reaching the end of the runway. He applied full throttle but did not get an immediate response. After some delay he heard the engine accelerate, but he was unable to avoid striking an 8-foot-high pile of rocks about 200 feet from the end of the runway. After striking the rocks, the aircraft descended until impacting the water in an inverted attitude about 800 feet from the end of the runway.

The pilot reported that he had difficulty in egressing the aircraft due to his parachute snagging on the canopy.

The aircraft and engine were examined by FAA inspectors from the San Jose, California, Flight Standards District Office. No discrepancies were found.