# NTSB CHI85LA188: Stearman PT 17, N59221, Hamilton, OH, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 15:40 local (19:40 UTC)
- Place: Hamilton, OH
- Coordinates: 39.409484, -84.650596 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.4095&lon=-84.6506&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 13059
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI85LA188
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/13059/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA188

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, takeoff - initial climb
  - procedures/directives - not followed, pilot in command (cause)
  - wrong runway - selected, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not attained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT WAS TAKING OFF IN A 90 DEGREE CROSS WIND OF 15 KTS GUSTS 23 KTS IMMEDIATLY AFTER LIFTOFF A GUST OF WIND RESULTED IN PILOT LOSS OF DIRECTIONAL CONTROL THE ACFT VEERED OFF OF THE RUNWAY STRUCK A DITCH AND NOSED OVER INVERTED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N59221](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59221), registered now, S/N 75-4790, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEARMAN 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: 75-4790
- Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: J.W. Wright
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, September 4, 1984
- Departed: HAD, HAMILTON, OH
- Airport: HAD, Hamilton, runway 29, 5,480 × 80 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 37; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 228 total, 40 in this make and model, 181 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Instrument (IMC), Day
- Wind: 200° at 15 knots, gusting 23
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: LUK, 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 19850505019469A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505019469A), May 5, 1985: Boeing A75N1, Hamilton, OH, Substantial damage. Lost directional control during crosswind takeoff and flipped over. Passenger may have blocked stick.

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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