CHI94LA150

NTSB accident investigation · Boeing B75-N1 · Sandwich, IL · May 8, 1994

Accident · No injuriesLimited investigationFinal report
Date
May 8, 1994, 15:19 local (20:19 UTC)
Place
Sandwich, IL
Injuries
2 uninjured
Damage
Substantial damage
Phase of flight
Landing
Aircraft
N68135Boeing B75-N1
Weather
Visual (VMC) · Day
Status
Completed · report October 13, 1995
Report
Approved by Office Director
FAA report
19940508016149A
Case key
9521

From the NTSB’s public API. By law, NTSB reports can’t be used as evidence in lawsuits over the accident.

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Probable cause

the pilot in command's failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing and attempted go around.

Sequence of events

NTSB’s coding before 2008: each occurrence and phase of flight, and the causes and factors under it. The codes are defined in NTSB’s coding manual.

Loss of control - on ground/waterLanding - flare/touchdown
Weather condition - unfavorable windFactor
Directional control - not maintainedPilot in commandCause
Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skidGo-around (vfr)
On ground/water collision with objectTakeoff - aborted
Object - tree(s)

Analysis

The pilot-in-command was landing on a grass runway with a 70 degree crosswind of 12 knots gusting to 18 knots. After touchdown, the right wing began to lift and the pilot attempted a go around. The left wingtip dragged the ground and the airplane became airborne as it departed the left side of the runway. Unable to clear trees, the pilot intentionally reduced power, landed and impacted the trees.

Factual narrative

On May 8, 1994, at 1519 central daylight time, a Boeing B75-N1, N68135, operated by Edward Midgley of Geneva, Illinois, impacted trees during a landing go around at Woodlake Landing Airport, Sandwich, Illinois, and was substantially damaged. The commercial rated pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions existed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight was operated under 14 CFR Part 91 as a local pleasure flight.

The pilot reported that while landing on runway 18 (1,800'x200', turf), with winds estimated from 230 degrees magnetic at 12 knots gusting to 18 knots, a sideward drift developed and the right wing began to lift up. The pilot attempted a go around, dragged the left wingtip on the ground, and became airborne. The pilot reported that when he realized he would not clear trees, he reduced power to land. The airplane contacted trees, substantially damaging all 4 wings, the wing center sections, and rupturing fuel lines. No fire occurred and the pilot had to assist the front seat passenger in egressing the airplane.

Aircraft

Registration
N68135
Reported as
Boeing B75-N1
Category
Airplane
Serial number
75-7145
Airframe hours
10,247
Engine
Continental W6706N, 220 horsepower, reciprocating
Damage
Substantial damage
Flight
Personal · Part 91
Operator
Edward S. Midgley
Registered owner
Edward S. Midgley
Airworthiness certificate
Standard, Aerobatic
Last inspection
Annual · June 15, 1993 · 14 hours before
Departed
C48 · Sandwich, IL
Destination
C48 · Sandwich, IL
Airport
C48 · Woodlake Landings, runway 18, 1,800 × 200 ft, grass/turf

Matched to the registry by N-number and the event date; the registry’s history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

Role
Pilot
Age
49
Certificate
Commercial
Airplane ratings
Single-engine land
Instrument ratings
Airplane
Medical
Class 3, Valid Medical--w/ waivers/lim
Seat
Rear
Flight hours
1,797 total · 208 in this make and model · 1,693 as pilot in command · 18 in the last 90 days · 3 in the last 30 days

Weather

Conditions
Visual (VMC) · Day
Wind
230° at 12 knots, gusting 18
Visibility
20 statute miles
Lowest ceiling
None
Temperature
64 °F

FAA reports on this event · 1

The FAA’s own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date.

Other investigations on N68135 · 1

Matched to the same aircraft by N-number and date.