# NTSB CHI07CA297: Boeing Stearman E75, N68462, Gordon, NE, September 12, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 12, 2007, 16:30 local (22:30 UTC)
- Place: Gordon, NE
- Coordinates: 42.805831, -102.175003
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.8058&lon=-102.1750&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: FAA- LNK FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66829
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI07CA297
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66829/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI07CA297

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the crosswind landing which resulted in the 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
  - weather condition - crosswind (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
  - terrain condition - runway

## Analysis

The aircraft was substantially damaged during a crosswind landing.  There were no injuries.  The pilot stated that the aircraft landed in a three point attitude.  He reported that there was a gusting crosswind and his use of rudder to enhance forward visibility caused the aircraft to lose directional control.  The pilot stated that he added full power in an attempt to go around, but this caused the aircraft to ground loop.

## Factual narrative

The aircraft was substantially damaged during a crosswind landing.  There were no injuries.  The pilot stated that the aircraft landed in a three point attitude.  He reported that there was a gusting crosswind and his use of rudder to enhance forward visibility caused the aircraft to lose directional control.  The pilot stated that he added  full power in an attempt to go around, but this caused the aircraft to ground loop.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68462](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68462), registered now, S/N 75-5586 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman E75
- Registry model: [Boeing E75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-e75) (registry code 1380120) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-5586
- Engines: Continental W-670 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Ken Horwitz
- Registered owner: Gold Cap LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: KGRN, Gordon, NE
- Destination: KGRN, Gordon, NE
- Flight plan: Unknown

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; flight hours: 464 total, 297 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 290° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 91 °F, dew point 27 °F
- Altimeter: 29.79 inHg
- Observed at: KIEN, 20 nm away

## 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 20070912022659A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070912022659A), Sep 12, 2007: Boeing E75, Gordon, NE, Substantial damage. (-23) On September 12, 2007 the pilot of a Boeing E75 stearman N68462, landed at the Gordon NE airport on runway 29. With a gusty crosswind of 10 knots off his…

## Other investigations on N68462 (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 SEA81FYP34](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA81FYP34), Aug 14, 1981: Boeing E75 (N68462), Omak, WA, substantial damage
- [NTSB ANC76FAA24](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ANC76FAA24-201325), Mar 16, 1976: Boeing E75 (N68462), Northway, AK, 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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