# NTSB DEN87LA129: Boeing A75N1, N75546, Mandan, ND, May 2, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 2, 1987, 15:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Mandan, ND
- Coordinates: 46.82072, -100.880088 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.8207&lon=-100.8801&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 7, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17229
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN87LA129
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17229/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN87LA129

## 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 - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE PILOT AND HIS SON WERE FERRYING A RECENTLY PURCHASED BOEING STEARMAN TO THEIR HOME IN OHIO. DURING LANDING ROLL, AT AN EN ROUTE STOP, A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE TAIL SECTION AND THE ACFT GROUNDLOOPED. THE LEFT WING STRUCK THE RUNWAY AND THE ACFT WAS SUBSTANTIALLY DAMAGED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N75546](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N75546), registered now, S/N 75-7935, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (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: 75-7935
- Airframe hours: 2492
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Charles S. Gelal
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, October 2, 1986, 27 hours before
- Departed: DIK, DICKINSON, ND
- Airport: Y19, Mandan, runway 33, 2,436 × 45 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,300 total, 300 in this make and model, 12 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots, gusting 15
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,500 ft overcast

## 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 19870502016229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870502016229A), May 2, 1987: Boeing A75N1, Mandan, ND, Substantial damage. A gust of wind lifted the tail section during the landing rollout. Ground looped. Left wing struck the runway.

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.

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