# NTSB ATL94LA066: Boeing PT-17, N57TH, Chamblee, GA, March 19, 1994

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 19, 1994, 15:15 local (20:15 UTC)
- Place: Chamblee, GA
- Coordinates: 33.899765, -84.299766 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.8998&lon=-84.2998&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 19, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 3359
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL94LA066
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/3359/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA066

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND CONDITION DURING LANDING. A FACTOR IS A TAILWIND.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- On ground/water encounter with weather, landing - roll
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command
- Overrun, landing - roll
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE AFTER TOUCHDOWN. THE AIRPLANE VEERED OFF THE RUNWAY AND COLLAPSED THE MAIN LANDING GEAR. THE APPROACH AND THE TOUCHDOWN WERE MADE WITH A QUARTERING TAIL WIND. THE LANDING RUNWAY WAS RUNWAY 02, AND THE REPORTED WINDS WERE 250 DEDREES AT 10 KNOTS. NO AIRCRAFT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WERE REPORTED BY THE PILOT.

## Factual narrative

On March 19, 1994, at 1515 eastern standard time, a Boeing (Stearman) PT-17, N57TH, ground looped, veered off the left side of the runway, and collapsed the left main landing gear, while attempting a landing on runway 2L at Dekalb-Peachtree Airport, Chamblee, Georgia. Visual weather conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The pleasure flight operated under 14 CFR Part 91, with no flight plan filed. The airplane sustained substantial damage; the pilot and passenger were not injured. The flight departed Chamblee, at 1445 hours.

According to the pilot, he lost control of the airplane after touchdown. He further stated that the nose of the airplane started turning to the left and continued until it was 180 degrees from the landing magnetic heading. The approach and the landing were made with a 10 knot quartering tail wind. No mechanical problems were reported with the airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57TH](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57TH), registered now, S/N 75-4240 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING PT-17
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-4240
- Airframe hours: 6000
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: American East Airways
- Last inspection: 100 hour, October 20, 1993, 24 hours before
- Airport: PDK, Peachtree Dekalb Airport, runway 2L, 3,736 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 64; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 8,000 total, 600 in this make and model, 7,000 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 250° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 60 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 36 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: PDK

## Other investigations on N57TH (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL94LA147](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL94LA147), Jul 30, 1994: Boeing A75N1 (N57TH), Chamblee, GA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The fatigue failure of the left main landing gear shock absorbing strut that resulted in a loss of control.

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.

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