# NTSB CHI99LA330: Boeing Stearman E75, N4752V, Sparta, IL, August 28, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: August 28, 1999, 15:10 local (20:10 UTC) - Place: Sparta, IL - Coordinates: 38.149627, -89.710311 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1496&lon=-89.7103&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 47274 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI99LA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/47274/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI99LA330 ## Probable cause The pilot's decision not to use all of the available. A factor to the accident was the ditch. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, takeoff - aborted - all available runway - not used, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, takeoff - aborted - terrain condition - ditch (contributing factor) ## Analysis The pilot was taking-off from a clear-way between a runway and taxiway and when at approximately 50-75 feet above ground level (agl) he noted that the airplane was not accelerating and, '... a very small descent rate was felt.' The pilot stated that he elected to land and the airplane touched down approximately abeam the taxiway entrance at the north end of the airport. The pilot reported that he was going to overrun the end of the runway and that there was a ditch off the end of the runway so he, '...tried to lift the airplane over the ditch.' After the second touchdown, the aircraft began to track to the left and the left wingtip contacted the terrain. The pilot did not report any engine anomalies occurring prior to and during the accident sequence. The pilot stated that using, '...full length of the takeoff runway [clearway] and maintain runway centerline throughout the departure' could have prevented the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 28, 1999, at 1510 central daylight time, a Boeing Stearman E-75, N4752V, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff from the clear-way between runway 36 and the taxiway (2,100 feet by 150 feet, dry/grass) at the Sparta Community-Hunter Field Airport, Sparta, Illinois. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The personal flight was operating under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 and was not on a flight plan. The pilot and one passenger reported no injuries. The local flight was originating at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, the takeoff roll and liftoff were unremarkable. The pilot reported that at approximately 50-75 feet above ground level (agl) he noted that the airplane was not accelerating and, "... a very small descent rate was felt." The pilot stated that he elected to land and the airplane touched down approximately abeam the taxiway entrance at the north end of the airport. The pilot reported that he was going to overrun the end of the runway and that there was a ditch off the end of the runway so he, "...tried to lift the airplane over the ditch." After the second touchdown, the aircraft began to track to the left and the left wingtip contacted the terrain. The pilot did not report any engine anomalies occurring prior to and during the accident sequence. The pilot stated that using, "...full length of the takeoff runway [clearway] and maintain runway centerline throughout the departure" could have prevented the accident. A weather observation reporting station, located 25 nautical miles north of the accident site, reported few clouds at 4,500 feet agl, visibility of 7 statute miles, barometric pressure of 30.04 inches of mercury, and the winds variable at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4752V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4752V), registered now, S/N 75-5507, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman E75 (E-75) - Registry model: [Boeing E75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-e75) (registry code 1380120) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental R-670](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-r-670) (registry code 17392, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-5507 - Airframe hours: 12000 - Engines: Continental R670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Vernon Edwin Dury - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1999, 4 hours before - Departed: SAR - Airport: SAR, Sparta Community Airport ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 38; airline transport, flight engineer; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,200 total, 25 in this make and model, 2,050 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 0° at 4 knots - Visibility: 7 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 59 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: BLV, 25 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 19990828030539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990828030539A), Aug 28, 1999: Boeing E75, Sparta, IL, Substantial damage. (.19) On August 28, 1999, at 1510 central daylight time, a Boeing stearman E-75, N4752V, sustained substantial damage during an aborted takeoff on runway 36… ## Other investigations on N4752V (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 OAK72DJA10](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/OAK72DJA10), Dec 2, 1971: Boeing E75N1 (N4752V), Maui, HI, 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.