# NTSB CHI94LA007: Boeing 75N1, N81235, St Paul, MN, October 6, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 6, 1993, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: St Paul, MN
- Coordinates: 44.880477, -93.200271 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.8805&lon=-93.2003&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 7, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 9407
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9407/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA007

## Probable cause

FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN PROPER ALTITUDE.

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE AIRPLANE WAS BEING MANEUVERED OVER A SWAMPY AREA ON A LOCAL FLIGHT.  A WITNESS DESCRIBED THE ALTITUDE AS 'EXCEEDINGLY LOW.'   AS THE PILOT WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE AIRPLANE DESCENDED AND STRUCK SOME TALL BRUSH WITH THE LEFT WING.  THE AIRPLANE THEN CARTWHEELED TO A STOP.

## Factual narrative

On October 6, 1993, at 1300 central daylight time, a Boeing B-75N1, N81235, sustained substantial damage when it crashed while maneuvering about ten miles south of the Flying Cloud Airport, St. Paul Minnesota.  The air transport certificated pilot and the sole passenger received minor injuries.  No flight plan was filed, and visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time for the sightseeing flight.

The pilot stated he began a left descending turn over a swamp, and the airplane developed a sink rate which he could not arrest with power.  A witness who lives next to the swamp reported the airplane was circling the swamp and was "exceedingly low."  The witness saw the left wing of the airplane clip some tall brush and cartwheel.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N81235](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N81235), registered now, S/N 75-7990, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-7990
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W-670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Planes Of Fame Museum
- Registered owner: Robert J. Pond
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Destination: FCM

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 38; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,910 total, 35 in this make and model, 2,320 as pilot in command, 164 in the last 90 days, 66 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 190° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: FCM, 10 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 19931006037809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19931006037809A), Oct 6, 1993: Boeing B75N1, St Paul, MN, Substantial damage. Circling low over a swamp. Wing struck tall brush. Aircraft cartwheeled.

## Other investigations on N81235 (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 WPR11CA251](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR11CA251), May 19, 2011: Boeing B75N1 (N81235), Torrance, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's inadequate compensation for wind conditions.

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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