# NTSB CHI99LA199: Boeing Stearman B75N1, N2PP, Kalamazoo, MI, June 26, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 26, 1999, 16:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Kalamazoo, MI - Coordinates: 42.200595, -85.559738 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.2006&lon=-85.5597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 46624 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA199 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46624/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA199 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor was the variable wind condition. ## 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 - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - landing gear,main gear attachment - overload ## Analysis The airplane ground looped while landing. The pilot reported the winds were light and variable from the southeast, for the landing on runway 23. He stated there was no crosswind correction required during the approach and landing. The pilot stated the airplane veered sharply to the left during the landing roll and he was unable to correct the movement. The right main gear collapsed and the airplane came to rest facing the direction opposite the landing. Local winds at the time of the accident were reported as variable at six knots. The pilot reported being told that at the time of the landing the wind sock was straight out and perpendicular to the runway. No evidence of a brake failure/malfunction was discovered during the post accident inspection of the airplane. ## Factual narrative On June 26, 1999, at 1610 eastern daylight time (edt), a Boeing Stearman B75N1, N2PP, ground looped on while landing on runway 23 (3,999' X 100', asphalt) at the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport, Kalamazoo, Michigan. The airplane was substantially damaged. The pilot and passenger were not injured. The 14 CFR Part 91 pleasure flight was operating in visual meteorological conditions without a flight plan. The local flight originated from Kalamazoo, Michigan, about 1550 edt. The pilot reported the accident occurred during his eleventh flight of the day. He stated the winds were reported as light and variable from the southeast, and he was landing on runway 23. He stated he made a "...normal three point landing..." without any wind correction required. The pilot stated that the beginning of the landing roll was straight on the runway, but "Within a very short period the aircraft began to veer sharply to the left. Corrective action with full right rudder had no effect in stopping the excursion which very rapidly developed into a skid from which I could not recover." The airplane turned approximately 180-degrees prior to coming to rest. The right main landing gear collapsed, and the right wings and wings struts were bent. The pilot reported, "I have been told by one eyewitness pilot that the wind sock located fifty yards from the scene was straight out and perpendicular to Runway 23 when I came to rest. Another pilot informed me that he encountered a sudden gust in the same vicinity earlier in the day, causing a wing rise after touchdown." Winds reported at the Kalamazoo-Battle Creek International Airport at the time of the accident were variable at six knots. The airplane was inspected by an Inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration Grand Rapids Flight Standards District Office. The inspector reported that there was no evidence to indicate that the brakes had locked up during the landing. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N2PP](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N2PP), registered now, S/N 75-3412, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman B75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R755B series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755b-series) (registry code 35007, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-5736 - Airframe hours: 739 - Engines: Lycoming R-680-13 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kalamazoo Aviation History Mus - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, April 30, 1999, 5 hours before - Departed: AZO - Destination: AZO - Airport: AZO, Kalamazoo-Battle Creek, runway 23, 3,999 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; flight instructor, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 12,000 total, 45 in this make and model, 10,050 as pilot in command, 68 in the last 90 days, 44 in the last 30 days, 4 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 6 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: AZO ## 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 19990626007709A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990626007709A), Jun 26, 1999: Boeing B75N1, Kalamazoo, MI, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. Acft spun around after landing, and the main landing gear collapsed. (.19)on June 26, 1999, at 1610 eastern daylight time (EDT), a Boeing stearman B75N1, N2PP,… 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.