# NTSB CHI99LA158: Boeing Stearman PT-27, N59260, Grainfield, KS, May 23, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 23, 1999, 14:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Grainfield, KS - Coordinates: 39.109596, -100.459251 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.1096&lon=-100.4593&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report June 22, 2000 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46367 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA158 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46367/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA158 ## Probable cause The pilot's improper in-flight decision and failure to maintain adequate clearance with the ground. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering - altitude/clearance - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - crop - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - Nose over, maneuvering ## Analysis The pilot reported that he had a passenger on board the airplane who was videotaping a group of motorcyclists who were traveling on highway I-70. The pilot reported that he was flying at an altitude of 10 to 20 feet above ground altitude, with a 20 to 23 mph left quartering tailwind. He reported the airplane felt as though it were being pushed down into the wheat field. He reported the airplane's wheels started impacting the grain of the wheat field, and the airplane nosed over about 200 feet later. ## Factual narrative On May 23, 1999, at 1400 central daylight time, a Boeing Stearman PT-27, N59260, received substantial damage near Grainfield, Kansas. The airplane was flying low and maneuvering to video a group of motorcycles on the highway when it flew into a grain field and nosed over. The commercial pilot was not injured and the passenger received minor injuries. The 14 CFR Part 91 flight had departed Oakley, Kansas, on a local flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The pilot reported that he had a passenger on board the airplane who was videotaping a group of motorcyclists who were traveling on highway I-70 on their way to Washington, D.C. The pilot reported that he was flying at an altitude of 10 to 20 feet above ground altitude with a 20 to 23 mph left quartering tailwind. He reported the airplane felt as though it were being pushed down into the wheat field. He reported the airplane's wheels started impacting the grain of the wheat field and the airplane nosed over about 200 feet later. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59260](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59260), registered now, S/N 75-4037, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman PT-27 - Registry model: [Boeing D75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-d75n1) (registry code 1380148) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-4037 - Airframe hours: 2735 - Engines: Continental R-670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: L. M. Hammer - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, August 18, 1997, 22 hours before - Departed: OEL, OAKLEY, KS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 70; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 9,372 total, 1,300 in this make and model, 6,764 as pilot in command, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 11 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 66 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: GLD, 65 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 19990523024109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990523024109A), May 23, 1999: Boeing D75N1, Grainfield, KS, Substantial damage. (.19) On may 23, 1999, at 1400 central daylight time, a stearman PT-27, N59260, received substantial damage near Grainfield, Kansas. The airplane was flying… ## Other investigations on N59260 (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 SEA70DXM13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA70DXM13), Apr 9, 1970: Boeing D75N1 (N59260), Pocatello, ID, 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. --- 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.