20020504018559A

(-23) The pilot and passenger/owner departed runway 36 during the Georgetown airshow. They were number three in a formation of four stearman type aircraft. The two lead aircraft were equipped with 450-HP engines, while the accident aircraft and the number four aircraft were equipped with 220-HP engines. Shortly after lift-off at approximately 150 feet AGL, the pilot encountered turbulence from the lead aircraft and was unable to maintain altitude. The aircraft struck a power line and trees, coming to rest imbedded in the corner of a vacant house approximately 150 yards nw of the airport boundary. (.19) on may 4, 2002, approximately 1345 central daylight time, a Boeing stearman, A75SN1, single-engine airplane, N5805V, struck power lines, trees, and a residence following a loss of altitude during takeoff/initial climb from the Georgetown Municipal Airport, near Georgetown, Texas. The airplane was owned and operated by a private individual under 14 code of federal regulations part 91. The airline transport pilot and the passenger rated pilot/owner were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal flight, and a flight plan was not filed. The flight was originating at the time of the accident. The pilot-in-command reported that during the takeoff from runway 36, his airplane was number 3 in a formation flight of 4 airplanes. His airplane had a 200 horsepower engine and airplanes 1 and 2 had engines which produced in excess of 400 horsepower. His airplane encountered the "prop wash of airplanes 1 and 2." His airplane was at 150 feet AGL by the time he was "able to get out of the prop wash." However, the airplane did not maintain altitude, and subsequently struck wires, trees, and a house before coming to rest approximately 150 yards beyond the airport property. The Georgetown weather observation facility reported the wind from 090 degrees at 11 knots with gusts to 18 knots. The visibility was 8 statue miles.