# NTSB ERA10CA500: Boeing A75N1, N65648, Bealeton, VA, September 24, 2010 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 24, 2010, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Bealeton, VA - Coordinates: 38.524166, -77.736389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5242&lon=-77.7364&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 16, 2011 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 77393 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA10CA500 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/77393/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77393 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA10CA500 ## Probable cause The pilot under instruction’s improper recovery from a bounced landing and the flight instructor’s delayed remedial action, which resulted in a ground loop and collision with trees. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: landing flare](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,285 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062041/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Action: delayed action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 894 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the certificated flight instructor (CFI), the purpose of the flight was for the pilot under instruction (PUI) to conduct airwork and grass field landings. The PUI was seated in the rear seat and the CFI was seated in the front seat. The PUI stated that the CFI was on the flight controls in conjunction with him since it was going to be his first landing on a grass strip. The CFI stated that he advised the PUI that the PUI had authority over the flight controls to which he received an acknowledgement. On the first touchdown, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced and became airborne, then touched down a second time. After the second touchdown, when the airplane began turning to the right, the flight instructor took over authority of the flight controls and applied left rudder, which was ineffective. The airplane then ground-looped 90 degrees and struck a cluster of trees. Post-accident examination revealed that the airplane incurred damage to both lower wings. Both pilots reported no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane. ## Factual narrative According to the flight instructor, the flight departed to conduct airwork and grass field landings. The pilot under instruction was seated in the rear seat, and the flight instructor was seated in the front seat. The pilot under instruction stated that the flight instructor was on the flight controls at the same time since it was going to be his first landing on a grass strip. However, the flight instructor stated that he advised the pilot under instruction, “you have the controls,” and received acknowledgement. On the first touchdown to runway 28, the tailwheel-equipped airplane bounced and became airborne, then touched down a second time. After the second touchdown, when the airplane began turning to the right, the flight instructor “got on the controls” and added left rudder, which was “ineffective.” The airplane then ground-looped 90 degrees and struck a clump of spruce trees. Post-accident examination revealed that the airplane incurred damage to both lower wings. Neither pilot reported any preexisting mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane, and winds were reported as being from 200 degrees true at 7 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65648](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65648), registered now, S/N 75-972, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Jacobs R755A series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/jacobs-r755a-series) (registry code 35006, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-972 - Airframe hours: 3985 - Engines: Continental W670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Pegasus Air LLC - Registered owner: Pegasus Air LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, March 10, 2010 - Departed: HEF, Manassas, VA - Destination: 29VA, Bealton, VA - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: 29VA, Rhynalds Ranch Airport, runway 28, 2,500 × 120 ft, grass/turf ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 87; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 22, 2009; seat: front; flight hours: 20,995 total, 60 in this make and model, 10,000 as pilot in command, 17 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 26; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 26, 2010; seat: rear; flight hours: 665 total, 13 in this make and model, 588 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 200° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 93 °F, dew point 57 °F - Altimeter: 30.07 inHg - Observed at: HWY, 4 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 20100924055479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20100924055479A), Sep 24, 2010: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Bealeton, VA, Substantial damage. On landing into rhynalds field the instructor monitored the pilot and after touchdown the pilot lost control of the aircraft, the instructor failed to make… ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 31, 2010, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=77393. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 803 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337462&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 2, .PDF, 636 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337451&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Flight Instructor Statement (item 3, .PDF, 24 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337706&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Flight%20Instructor%20Statement-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 4, .PDF, 25 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337710&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 5, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337452&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Aircraft Photo (courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 738 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337745&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Photo%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Aircraft Photo (courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 553 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40337746&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Aircraft%20Photo%20(courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF 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.