# NTSB CHI93LA349: Boeing Stearman A75N1, N55501, Delevan, WI, September 3, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 3, 1993, 13:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: Delevan, WI
- Coordinates: 42.619865, -88.630828 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.6199&lon=-88.6308&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 2, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9304
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI93LA349
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9304/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI93LA349

## Probable cause

the excessive use of brakes and rudder by the pilot-in-command.  A factor related to the accident was the pilot-in-command's lack of total experience in this type of aircraft.

## 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
  - brakes(normal) - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Nose over, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE VINTAGE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON RUNWAY 36 WITH A CROSSWIND.  ACCORDING TO THE FRONT SEAT PILOT/PASSENGER, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO WEATHER VANE AS THE TAILWHEEL TOUCHED DOWN AT WHICH TIME THE REAR SEAT PILOT MADE HARD RUDDER AND BRAKE INPUTS.  THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER, DAMAGING THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND RUDDER AND THE TOP WING'S UPPER SURFACE.

## Factual narrative

On September 3, 1993, at 1330 central daylight time (CDT), a Boeing/Stearman A75N1, N55501, registered to Jay Brost of Fontana, Wisconsin, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during a landing roll following touchdown onto Runway 36 (4,400 x 75' dry asphalt) at the Lake Lawn Airport, Delevan, Wisconsin.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating under a flight plan. The flight originated from Harvard, Illinois, at 1300 CDT.

Written statements on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 submitted by both pilots state that the airplane had encountered a crosswind requiring rudder application.  The pilot-in-command, in the rear seat, applied brake application "...excessively...", or "...hard...", instead of rudder control according to the front seat pilot/passenger.  The pilot/passenger stated that airplane began to weather vane as the tailwheel was lowering, and that the "...PIC acted with hard rudder/brake which caused a/c to go over (on) its nose."

The on-scene investigation was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Principal Operations Inspector (POI).  The POI stated the vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed downward, and that the top wing of the airplane had rib and covering damage on its upper surface.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N55501](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55501), registered now, S/N 75-4740, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING STEARMAN A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-4740
- Engines: CONTINENTAL R-670 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Jay Brost
- Registered owner: Jay H. Brost
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: 0C0, HARVARD, IL
- Destination: C59
- Airport: C59, Lake Lawn, runway 36, 4,400 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 57; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,000 total, 20 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 4,700 ft broken
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: JVL, 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 19930903032969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930903032969A), Sep 3, 1993: Boeing A75N1, Delavan, WI, Substantial damage. Weather vaned landing in crosswind as tail lowered. Hit brake too hard causing a nose over. No prior time in type.

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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