N23NL

On May 11, 1999, at 0914 hours Pacific daylight time, an amateur built experimental Hamilton Pitts Special SC-1, N23NL, nosed over while landing at the Sacramento Executive Airport, Sacramento, California. The aircraft, operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The commercial pilot was not injured. The flight originated at the Sacramento Executive Airport about 0800, and was being conducted as a local area personal flight under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.

The pilot reported that he setup the final approach to runway 20. He stated that he began the flare higher than normal and the aircraft subsequently stalled about 3 to 4 feet above the runway surface. After the initial bounce, the aircraft drifted left and contacted the surface again. The left wing contacted the pavement and the aircraft ground looped. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted on the runway. The Sacramento weather observation facility reported that the winds at the time of the accident were from 310 degrees at 6 knots.