# NTSB ATL03LA079: Boeing Stearman A75L3, N4908N, Gainesville, GA, April 14, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: April 14, 2003, 13:15 local (17:15 UTC) - Place: Gainesville, GA - Coordinates: 34.270278, -83.822776 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2703&lon=-83.8228&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 28, 2006 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Atlanta FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 56815 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03LA079 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56815/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03LA079 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll resulting in an inadvertent ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause) ## Analysis The pilot and passenger departed for a sightseeing/pleasure flight over Lake Lanier, with intentions to stop in Gainesville for refreshments. According to the pilot, he checked the prevailing wind information for the approach at the airport. The prevailing winds were reported at 140 degree at six knots; the pilot chose runway 11 for the approach and landing. The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane ground looped to the left. No mechanical or flight control problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot prior to the accident. ## Factual narrative On April 14, 2003, at 1315 eastern daylight time, a Boeing Stearman, A75L3, N4908N, registered to and operated by a commercial pilot, ground looped during landing roll at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport, Gainesville, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provision of Title 14 CFR Part 91 and visual flight rules. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The airplane was substantially damaged, and the pilot and passenger were uninjured. The flight departed Peachtree-Dekalb Airport, Dekalb, Georgia on April 14, 2003 at 1230. The pilot and passenger departed for a sightseeing/pleasure flight over Lake Lanier, with intentions to stop in Gainesville for refreshments. According to the pilot, he checked the prevailing wind information for the approach at the airport. The prevailing winds were reported at 140 degree at six knots; the pilot chose runway 11 for the approach and landing. The pilot reported that during the landing roll, the airplane ground looped to the left. No mechanical or flight control problems with the airplane were reported by the pilot prior to the accident. Examination of the airplane revealed the wings were buckled at the main spar, and the left main landing gear separated from the airframe. On page 4 of the Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, optional Recommendations section, the pilot of the accident airplane stated that "additional training in type for pilot" could have prevented the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4908N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4908N), registered now, S/N 75-1191, built 1940 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman A75L3 - Registry model: [Boeing A75L3](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75l3) (registry code 1380102) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: A75l3 - Airframe hours: 3978 - Engines: Continental R-670-5 220 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Jeff Clark - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2002, 0 hours before - Departed: PDK, ATLANTA, GA - Airport: GVL, Lee Gilmer Memorial, runway 11, 4,001 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 28; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 4, 2002; seat: front; flight hours: 420 total, 21 in this make and model, 346 as pilot in command, 31 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 7 knots - Visibility: 2 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 63 °F - Altimeter: 30.30 inHg - Observed at: GVL ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20030414008519A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030414008519A), Apr 14, 2003: Boeing A75L3, Gainesville, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot was landing aircraft in Gainesville, GA (gvl) on runway 11. Shortly upon touchdown the aircraft began to go to the left, pilot attempted to correct… From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.