# NTSB CHI98LA175: Boeing Stearman A75-N1, N49955, West Fargo, ND, May 27, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 27, 1998, 07:30 local (12:30 UTC) - Place: West Fargo, ND - Coordinates: 46.869819, -96.890037 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8698&lon=-96.8900&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 19, 1999 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 10892 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA175 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10892/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA175 ## Probable cause the pilot's failure to assure an adequate fuel supply in order to complete the flight. A factor associated with the accident was the soft terrain on which the forced landing was made. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, maneuvering - aerial application - fluid,fuel - exhaustion (cause) - fuel supply - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - Forced landing, emergency descent/landing - Nose over, landing - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot reported the engine lost power during the aerial application flight. A forced landing was made on soft terrain during which time the airplane nosed over. Inspection of the airplane revealed no indication of fuel on board. There was also no indication of fuel leakage at the accident site. ## Factual narrative On May 27, 1998, at 0730 central daylight time, a Boeing Stearman A75-N1, N49955, experienced a total loss of engine power during an aerial application flight near West Fargo, North Dakota. The airplane was substantially damaged when it nosed over in a soft field during the subsequent forced landing. The commercial pilot/owner was not injured. The flight was being conducted under 14 CFR Part 137. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Argusville, North Dakota, at 0700 cdt. The pilot reported he was spraying a field in one direction to the east in order to avoid flying over a river. He reported he was pulling up after a swath run to circle around for another run when the engine lost power. The pilot made a turn to the north-northeast to execute a forced landing. The landing was made in a soft field where the airplane nosed over. The airplane and accident site were inspected by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration, Des Moines, Iowa, Flight Standards District Office. The Inspector reported the airplane was located in an inverted position. He reported there was no indication of fuel on board the airplane nor was there any indication of fuel spillage at the accident site. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N49955](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N49955), registered now, S/N 75-2975, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman A75-N1 - 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: 75-2975 - Airframe hours: 4699 - Engines: P&W R-985-AN1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Aerial application, Part 137 - Registered owner: Warren V. Walkinshaw - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Departed: 59Y, ARGUSVILLE, ND - Destination: 59Y, ND ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 27,000 total, 23,000 in this make and model, 35 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: FAR, 7 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 19980527046679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980527046679A), May 27, 1998: Boeing A75N1, Westfargo, ND, No damage. (-23) On may 27, 1998 at approximately 07:30 CDT, Boeing B-75, N49955, owned and flown by warren v. walkinshaw was substantially damaged during an aerial… 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.