# NTSB BFO88DHD02: Boeing A75N1, N53488, Milton, DE, October 16, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report
- Date: October 16, 1987
- Place: Milton, DE
- Coordinates: 38.770164, -75.310829 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7702&lon=-75.3108&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 10, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 11344
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=BFO88DHD02
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/11344/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88DHD02

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S IMPROPER BRAKE APPLICATION DURING A 'WHEEL' LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT NOSING OVER. THE SLIGHT DOWNSLOPE OF THE AIRSTRIP, A QUARTERING TAILWIND, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION ON THE PART OF THE CHECK PILOT, AND THE PILOT'S LACK OF FAMILIARITY WITH THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT ALL CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.

## 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor)
  - airport facilities,runway/landing area condition - downhill (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of familiarity with aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - supervision - inadequate, check pilot (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE CHECK PILOT STATED THAT THE PILOT'S SECOND LANDING IN THE ACCIDENT AIRCRAFT WAS A 'WHEEL' LANDING. HE REPORTED THAT THE PILOT TOUCHED DOWN ON THE TOP OF A CREST IN THE AIRSTRIP WITH THE TAIL HIGH. THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED DOWN THE SLIGHT SLOPE WITH A QUARTERING TAILWIND. ACCORDING TO THE CHECK PILOT, THE PILOT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE AIRCRAFT NOSED OVER, COMING TO REST INVERTED ON THE GRASS STRIP.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N53488](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53488), registered now, S/N 75-2284 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1
- 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: 75-2284
- Airframe hours: 10
- Engines: P&W R-985 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Joseph R. Hudson
- Registered owner: Eagle Crest Flying Club, Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: Eagle Crest, runway 32, 3,500 × 11 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 20; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 542 total, 440 as pilot in command, 192 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: variable at 4 knots, gusting 7
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg

## 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 19871016060119A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19871016060119A), Oct 16, 1987: Boeing A75N1, Milton, DE, Substantial damage. Owner allowed a pilot friend to fly the aircraft from rear cockpit. Aircraft nosed over landing. Hard braking factor

## Other investigations on N53488 (2)

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 ERA16CA057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA057), Nov 27, 2015: Boeing A75N1(PT17) (N53488), Farmington, DE, substantial damage. Probable cause: Both pilots' failure to maintain visual separation during landing at an uncontrolled airport. Contributing to the accident was the Mooney pilot's lack of prompt evasive action once the biplane had…
- [NTSB UNK64X4129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X4129), Sep 24, 1964: Boeing A75 (N53488), Parsonsburg, MD, substantial damage

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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