# NTSB CHI92LA235: Boeing A75N1, N55982, St. Paul, MN, August 8, 1992

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 8, 1992, 12:24 local (17:24 UTC)
- Place: St. Paul, MN
- Coordinates: 44.880496, -93.04055 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8805&lon=-93.0405&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 15511
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI92LA235
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/15511/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI92LA235

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S INATTENTIVENESS AND IMPROPER USE OF THE AIRPLANES BRAKES. A FACTOR WHICH CONTRIBUTED TO THIS ACCIDENT WAS THE INCORRECT BRAKE SYSTEM INSTALLED ON THE AIRPLANE.

## 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
  - landing gear,normal brake system - incorrect (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - improper use of, pilot in command (cause)
  - inattentive, pilot in command (cause)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE FORMER WORLD WAR II BI-PLANE TRAINER HAD MADE A WHEEL LANDING ON THE HARD SURFACED RUNWAY.  THE PILOT STATED THE AIRPLANE YAWED TO THE LEFT DUE TO A LIGHT LEFTHAND CROSSWIND.  HE STATED HE APPLIED SOME RIGHT RUDDER TO COMPENSATE FOR THE YAW.  SHORTLY AFTER RIGHT RUDDER APPLICATION THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER INVERTED ONTO THE RUNWAY.  THE PILOT STATED HE HAS MADE HUNDREDS OF LANDINGS IN THE AIRPLANE AND STATED IT'S AN '...AIRPLANE YOU CANNOT RELAX WITH ON LANDINGS.' ACCORDING TO THE PILOT, THE AIRPLANE WAS EQUIPPED WITH LARGER WHEELS AND BRAKES. THE LARGER WHEELS AND BRAKES ARE NORMALLY FOUND ON ANOTHER WORLD WAR II TRAINING AIRPLANE THAT WEIGHS APPROXIMATELY 1330 POUNDS MORE THAN THE ACCIDENT AIRPLANE.  THE FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA) AIRCRAFT RECORDS BRANCH DID NOT LOCATE A RECORD OF AN FAA FORM 337 FOR THIS INSTALLATION.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55982](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55982), registered now, S/N 75-110 (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: A75110
- Airframe hours: 2500
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: John L. Van Atta
- Registered owner: John L. Van Atta
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, June 25, 1992
- Airport: STP, St. Paul Downtown, runway 32, 6,711 × 150 ft, concrete

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 65; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 750 total, 160 in this make and model, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 8 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: STP, 1 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 19920808029849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19920808029849A), Aug 8, 1992: Boeing A75N1, St Paul, MN, Substantial damage. Nosed over on landing. Passenger may have hit brakes. Non approved BT13 brakes were installed. Not approved for A75

## Other investigations on N55982 (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 MIA74DKT15](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74DKT15), Aug 24, 1973: Boeing PT-17 (N55982), Palm Bch Gdns, FL, 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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