# NTSB ERA13CA324: Boeing B75N1, N5815V, Woodruff, SC, July 17, 2013

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 17, 2013, 18:15 local (22:15 UTC)
- Place: Woodruff, SC
- Coordinates: 34.67139, -82.000831 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.6714&lon=-82.0008&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 5, 2013
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 87507
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA13CA324
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87507/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87507
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA13CA324

## Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to initiate a stall maneuver at a low altitude, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and inadvertent collision with trees and terrain.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Incorrect use/operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

After making a low pass over the airport, the pilot of the vintage aerobatic biplane initiated a “stall turn” in order to reverse direction. During the climb portion of the maneuver, the airplane “did not achieve the required altitude for a safe recovery due to the extra weight of [the] passenger.” During the descent and attempted recovery from the maneuver, the right wing impacted a tree and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the upper and lower wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

After making a low pass over the airport, the pilot of the vintage aerobatic biplane initiated a “stall turn” in order to reverse direction. During the climb portion of the maneuver, the airplane “did not achieve the required altitude for a safe recovery due to the extra weight of [the] passenger.” During the descent and attempted recovery from the maneuver, the right wing impacted a tree and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the upper and lower wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5815V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5815V), registered now, S/N 75-7616, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING B75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-7616
- Airframe hours: 5407
- Engines: LYCOMING R680-8 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Cumulus Holdings LLC
- Registered owner: Cumulus Holdings LLC
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Last inspection: Annual, September 6, 2012, 50 hours before
- Departed: SC00, Woodruff, SC
- Destination: SC00, Woodruff, SC
- Airport: SC00, Triple Tree Airport, runway 21, 7,000 × 400 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 17, 2011; seat: rear; flight hours: 3,365 total, 251 in this make and model, 3,240 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 11 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 50° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 81 °F
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observed at: LUX, 10 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 20130717015849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130717015849A), Jul 17, 2013: Boeing B75N1, Enoree, SC, Substantial damage. Pilot stated that he was making a couple of low passes over the runway. On the accident pass he pulled up and made a turn to the left to go back down the…

## Other investigations on N5815V (2)

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 MIA74DKG87](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA74DKG87), Jun 26, 1973: Boeing 75N1 (N5815V), Rebecca, GA, substantial damage
- [NTSB UNK64X3314](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3314), Aug 10, 1964: Boeing B75N1 (N5815V), Seminole, TX, substantial damage

## Docket (5 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 22, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87507. 6.5 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 374 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40397413&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF
- Telephone Interview, FAA (item 2, .PDF, 123 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398854&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Telephone%20Interview,%20FAA-Master.PDF
- Weather Reports & Records (item 3, .PDF, 145 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398855&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20%26%20Records-Master.PDF
- Photograph #1: Forward View of Accident Airplane at Accident Site (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398047&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%231%3A%20Forward%20View%20of%20Accident%20Airplane%20at%20Accident%20Site%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF
- Photograph #2: Forward View of Accident Airplane & Tree (Courtesy of FAA) (item 5, .PDF, 2.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40398049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photograph%20%232%3A%20Forward%20View%20of%20Accident%20Airplane%20%26%20Tree%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.

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