# NTSB ERA14CA280: Boeing A75N1(PT17), N26M, Reading, PA, June 8, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 8, 2014, 10:30 local (14:30 UTC) - Place: Reading, PA - Coordinates: 40.373611, -75.959167 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.3736&lon=-75.9592&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 30, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89386 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA280 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89386/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89386 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA280 ## Probable cause The pilot's loss of control while landing the tailwheel-equipped airplane in a quartering tailwind. A factor in the accident was the changing wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) - [Wind: tailwind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 594 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034015/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: 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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 14 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane prepared for landing with a reported 70-degree quartering left headwind at 9 knots. After touching down on the main landing gear, and as the pilot lowered the tail, the airplane began turning to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and brake in an attempt to arrest the turn, but was unsuccessful. The airplane turned 90 degrees to the left and skidded sideways before the right wheel separated from the landing gear. The lower right wing then contacted the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the outboard portion of the wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further commented that during the landing, the wind appeared to be in a state of change and that the winds had shifted to a quartering tailwind during the accident sequence. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped biplane prepared for landing with a reported 70-degree quartering left headwind at 9 knots. After touching down on the main landing gear, and as the pilot lowered the tail, the airplane began turning to the left. The pilot applied right rudder and brake in an attempt to arrest the turn, but was unsuccessful. The airplane turned 90 degrees to the left and skidded sideways before the right wheel separated from the landing gear. The lower right wing then contacted the runway, resulting in substantial damage to the outboard portion of the wing. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot further commented that during the landing, the wind appeared to be in a state of change and that the winds had shifted to a quartering tailwind during the accident sequence. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N26M](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N26M), registered now, S/N 75-1925, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1(PT17) - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-1925 - Year built: 1941 - Airframe hours: 3534 - Engines: Continental W670N 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Mid Atlantic Air Museum - Registered owner: Saylor Brenda E - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, May 9, 2014, 10 hours before - Departed: RDG, Reading, PA - Destination: RDG, Reading, PA - Airport: RDG, Reading Rgnl/Carl A Spaatz Fie, runway 31, 6,350 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review February 4, 2014; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,468 total, 197 in this make and model, 3,142 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg - Observed at: KRDG ## 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 20140608012199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140608012199A), Jun 8, 2014: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Reading, PA, Substantial damage. Pilot set up for landing runway 31. Tower reported wind at 2409. Upon touchdown with mains on the runway as tail was lowered the aircraft began a turn to the… ## Other investigations on N26M (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 ATL80FLJ13](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL80FLJ13), May 24, 1980: Boeing A75N1 (N26M), Wenoma, NC, substantial damage - [NTSB MIA75DKT57](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA75DKT57), Jan 28, 1975: Boeing A75 (N26M), Immokale, FL, substantial damage ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on June 25, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89386. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 313 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413612&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Airplane from Front (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413613&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Airplane%20from%20Front%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Damage to Outboard Lower Right Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40413614&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Damage%20to%20Outboard%20Lower%20Right%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.