# NTSB ERA15CA162: Boeing A75N1(PT17), N7772J, St Marys, PA, March 12, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 12, 2015, 11:00 local (15:00 UTC) - Place: St Marys, PA - Coordinates: 41.412498, -78.502502 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.4125&lon=-78.5025&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: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report August 11, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - NTSB case key (mKey): 90894 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA15CA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/90894/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90894 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA162 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: crosswind correction](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 184 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062030/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) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/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: 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) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 11 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot/owner of the tailwheel-equipped biplane performed two low approaches prior to landing in order to "judge" the direction and speed of the wind. The pilot then performed a "wheel landing" to runway 10, a 4,300-foot-long, 75-foot-wide asphalt runway. However, by touchdown, the wind speed and direction had changed, which raised the left wing. The pilot corrected for the lifting of the wing, but the heading of the airplane diverged 10 to 15 degrees to the left of runway heading. At that point, the pilot elected to continue into the snow-covered apron, rather than struggle to maintain runway alignment, and risk the loss of aircraft control. The airplane's main landing gear "caught" as it entered the snow, the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted with substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 010 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot/owner of the tailwheel-equipped biplane performed two low approaches prior to landing in order to "judge" the direction and speed of the wind. The pilot then performed a "wheel landing" to runway 10, a 4,300-foot-long, 75-foot-wide asphalt runway. However, by touchdown, the wind speed and direction had changed, which raised the left wing. The pilot corrected for the lifting of the wing, but the heading of the airplane diverged 10 to 15 degrees to the left of runway heading. At that point, the pilot elected to continue into the snow-covered apron, rather than struggle to maintain runway alignment, and risk the loss of aircraft control. The airplane's main landing gear "caught" as it entered the snow, the airplane nosed over, and came to rest inverted with substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical anomalies with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The recorded wind at the airport, about the time of the accident, was from 010 degrees at 9 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7772J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7772J), registered now, S/N 75-8175, built 1943 (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: 75-8175 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 3650 - Engines: Continental W670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Cox David L - Registered owner: Cox David L - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 6, 2014, 16 hours before - Departed: AXQ, CLARION, PA - Destination: OYM, St Marys, PA - Airport: OYM, St Marys Muni, runway 10, 4,300 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,851 total, 47 in this make and model, 1,851 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 10° at 9 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 37 °F, dew point 12 °F - Altimeter: 30.54 inHg - Observed at: OYM ## 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 20150312010619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150312010619A), Mar 12, 2015: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Saint Marys, PA, Substantial damage. Aircraft departed runway surface during rollout on runway 10 at st. Marys municipal airport. There was deep snow alongside the runway. The aircraft stopped… ## Other investigations on N7772J (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 NYC90LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA194), Aug 15, 1990: Boeing A75 (N7772J), Burdett, NY, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT DID NOT PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSS WIND AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF. - [NTSB NYC88LA221](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA221), Aug 18, 1988: Boeing A75N1 (N7772J), Wellsville, PA, substantial damage ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 28, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=90894. 7.8 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429934&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Witness Statements (item 2, .PDF, 858 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429935&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 – Main Wreckage(Photo Courtesy of Airport) (item 3, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429936&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20%E2%80%93%20Main%20Wreckage(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20Airport)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 – Aircraft Damage (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40429937&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20%E2%80%93%20Aircraft%20Damage%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.