This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this writing will be corrected when/if the NTSB preliminary report is released.
https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=N491X
- History of Flight:
On September 6, 2026, at about 1805 local time, a privately-registered Pitts Model 12, N491X, sustained substantial damage when it was involved near Frontier Airpark (WN53), Lake Stevens, Washington. The pilot was seriously injured. The local personal flight originated from the airpark at an unspecified time.
Videos shared online show that the airplane was conducting aerobatic maneuvers in the area around the airpark. The airplane appeared to recover from a maneuver and was at level altitude when the left wing suddenly dropped and the airplane entered a low altitude stall/spin and collided with terrain.
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| Figure 1 |
The airplane was powered by a Vedeneyev M14P 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine, rated at 365 HP and drove a three-bladed propeller.
The airplane came to rest upright and sustained substantial impact damage. There was no post crash fire. Both wings and tail remained attached to the airframe, and there was no debris field leading to the main wreckage. The pilot was able to self extract.
The weather at the nearest airport showed clear skies and visibility, winds from 300 at 8 knots, temperature 22 °C, dewpoint 9 °C, and an altimeter setting of 29.97 inches of mercury.
- Weather:
METAR KAWO 070056Z AUTO 30008KT 10SM CLR 22/09 A2997 RMK AO2 SLP155 T02170094 $
METAR KAWO 070156Z AUTO 32006KT 10SM CLR 21/11 A2998 RMK AO2 SLP156 T02060106 $