# NTSB ERA16CA057: Boeing A75N1(PT17), N53488, Farmington, DE, November 27, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: November 27, 2015, 16:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Farmington, DE - Coordinates: 38.849445, -75.612777 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.8494&lon=-75.6128&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 15, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 92396 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA16CA057 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/92396/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92396 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA16CA057 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) Both pilots' failure to maintain visual separation during landing at an uncontrolled airport. Contributing to the accident was the Mooney pilot's lack of prompt evasive action once the biplane had been spotted on the same runway. In addition, the biplane pilots failure to ensure a clear runway. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) Both pilots' failure to maintain visual separation during landing at non-towered airport. Contributing to the accident was the Mooney pilot's lack of prompt evasive action once the biplane had been spotted on the same runway. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Info processing/decision: decision making/judgment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 3,098 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041520/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/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: Runway incursion veh/AC/person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway incursion veh/AC/person](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 104 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/320/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) According to the pilots of the Mooney and the Boeing (Biplane), they arrived at the uncontrolled field and landed on opposing sides of the runway at approximately the same time. The Mooney entered the left downwind pattern for a landing on runway 34. He stated he made radio calls over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency at each leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot of the Biplane entered the left 45 degree entry for downwind for runway 16. He stated he was not equipped with radios, but scanned the area for traffic and did not see the any other aircraft in the pattern. The Biplane landed on runway 16 and proceeded to roll out. The Mooney landed on runway 34 and came to a stop when he saw the Biplane on the runway. According to the pilot of the Mooney, he first saw the Biplane on landing roll at the opposite side of the runway and thought he was going to stop. When it appeared that the Biplane was not going to stop, he gave it full power and attempted to take evasive action to the left. The pilot of the Biplane did not see the other airplane until it passed under his right wing and he felt the subsequent collision. Both pilots reported they did not see the other airplane in the pattern or during landing. Neither pilot reported any mechanical problems with their respective airplanes. Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors arrived on scene and confirmed substantial damage to both airplanes. The Mooney tail assembly was partially detached from the fuselage and bent 25 degrees to the left. The bottom right wing spar of the Biplane was damaged. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) According to the pilots of the Mooney and the Boeing tail-wheel biplane, they arrived at the non-towered airport and entered the traffic patterns for opposing sides of the 3,588-foot-long by 37-foot-wide runway at approximately the same time. The Mooney entered the pattern on a left downwind for runway 34. The pilot stated he made radio calls over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency at each leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot of the biplane entered the left 45-degree entry for downwind to runway 16 because winds appeared to favor that runway. The biplane was not equipped with a two-way radio. As the pilot of the Mooney touched down on runway 34, he saw the biplane on the opposite end. The Mooney pilot stopped his airplane on the runway about 300 feet from the biplane, and observed the biplane continue to taxi towards him. When it appeared that the biplane was not going to stop, he applied power and took take evasive action to the left. The pilot of the biplane had limited forward visibility due to its nose high, tail-wheel configuration, and he was unable to "s-turn" the biplane as he taxied due to the runway's narrow width. He did not did not see the Mooney until it passed under his right wing and they collided. Neither pilot reported any mechanical problems with their respective airplanes. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined both airplane's after the accident noted that each had been substantially damaged during the collision. The Mooney tail assembly was partially detached from the fuselage and bent 25 degrees to the left, while the bottom right wing spar of the biplane was damaged. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) According to the pilots of the Mooney and the Boeing tail-wheel biplane, they arrived at the uncontrolled field and landed on opposing sides of the runway at approximately the same time. The Mooney entered the pattern on a left downwind for runway 34. The pilot stated he made radio calls over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency at each leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot of the biplane entered the left 45 degree entry for downwind to runway 16 because winds appeared to favor that runway. The biplane was not equipped with a two-way radio. He scanned the area for traffic and did not see any other aircraft. As the pilot of the Mooney touched down on runway 34, he saw the biplane on the opposite end. The Mooney pilot stopped his airplane on the runway and observed the biplane continue to taxi towards him. When it appeared that the biplane was not going to stop, he applied power and took take evasive action to the left. The pilot of the biplane had limited forward visibility due to his nose high tail-wheel configuration. He did not did not see the Mooney until it passed under his right wing and they collided. Neither pilot reported any mechanical problems with their respective airplanes. Federal Aviation Administration Inspectors arrived on scene and confirmed substantial damage to both airplanes. The Mooney tail assembly was partially detached from the fuselage and bent 25 degrees to the left. The bottom right wing spar of the biplane was damaged. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) According to the pilots of the Mooney and the Boeing tail-wheel biplane, they arrived at the non-towered airport and entered the traffic patterns for opposing sides of the 3,588-foot-long by 37-foot-wide runway at approximately the same time. The Mooney entered the pattern on a left downwind for runway 34. The pilot stated he made radio calls over the Common Traffic Advisory Frequency at each leg of the traffic pattern. The pilot of the biplane entered the left 45-degree entry for downwind to runway 16 because winds appeared to favor that runway. The biplane was not equipped with a two-way radio. As the pilot of the Mooney touched down on runway 34, he saw the biplane on the opposite end. The Mooney pilot stopped his airplane on the runway about 300 feet from the biplane, and observed the biplane continue to taxi towards him. When it appeared that the biplane was not going to stop, he applied power and took take evasive action to the left. The pilot of the biplane had limited forward visibility due to its nose high, tail-wheel configuration, and he was unable to "s-turn" the biplane as he taxied due to the runway's narrow width. He did not did not see the Mooney until it passed under his right wing and they collided. Neither pilot reported any mechanical problems with their respective airplanes. Federal Aviation Administration inspectors examined both airplane's after the accident noted that each had been substantially damaged during the collision. The Mooney tail assembly was partially detached from the fuselage and bent 25 degrees to the left, while the bottom right wing spar of the biplane was damaged. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N53488](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53488), registered now, S/N 75-2284 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1(PT17) (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (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: 75-2284 - Year built: 1942 - Airframe hours: 1789.44 - Engines: Continental W-670-6N 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Allen Chorman & Son, LLC - Registered owner: Allen Chorman & Son, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, June 26, 2015 - Departed: Milford, DE - Destination: D74, Farmington, DE - Airport: D74, Chorman, runway 16, 3,588 × 37 ft, asphalt ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: N201HK (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: MOONEY M20J (NO SERIES) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 24-0177 - Year built: 1977 - Airframe hours: 3019.3 - Engines: LYCOMING IO-360-A3B6 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: American Industrial And Marine Electroni - Registered owner: American Industrial And Marine Electroni - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 17, 2015 - Departed: D74, Farmington, DE - Destination: D74, Farmington, DE - Airport: D74, Chorman, runway 34, 3,588 × 37 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Electronic primary flight display, Stall warning system, Auto-pilot ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N53488; age 39; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea, multi-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 19,904 total, 50 in this make and model, 19,750 as pilot in command, 150 in the last 90 days, 50 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N201HK; age 69; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 28, 2015; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 4,463 total, 920 in this make and model, 4,385 as pilot in command, 37 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.37 inHg - Observed at: GED, 15 nm away ## FAA reports on this event (2) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20151127020112A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151127020112A), Nov 27, 2015: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Farmington, DE, Substantial damage. On November 27, 2015, a stearman, N53488, ^owned and operated by jeff Chorman,^ departed a private field for a short trip to Chorman field (D74), greenwood,… - [Accident 20151127020122A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20151127020122A), Nov 27, 2015: Mooney M20J, Farmington, DE, Substantial damage. On November 27, 2015, a stearman, N53488, ^owned and operated by jeff chorman^, departed a private field for a short trip to chorman field (D74), greenwood,… ## Other investigations on N53488 (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 BFO88DHD02](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/BFO88DHD02), Oct 16, 1987: Boeing A75N1 (N53488), Milton, DE, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S IMPROPER BRAKE APPLICATION DURING A 'WHEEL' LANDING, WHICH RESULTED IN THE AIRCRAFT NOSING OVER. THE SLIGHT DOWNSLOPE OF THE AIRSTRIP, A QUARTERING TAILWIND, INADEQUATE SUPERVISION ON THE… - [NTSB UNK64X4129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X4129), Sep 24, 1964: Boeing A75 (N53488), Parsonsburg, MD, substantial damage ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 11, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=92396. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Boeing Stearman Pilot (item 1, .PDF): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435481&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Boeing%20Stearman%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 - Mooney Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 957 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435482&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1%20-%20Mooney%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Witness - Stearman Passenger Statement (item 3, .PDF, 129 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435483&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20-%20Stearman%20Passenger%20Statement-Master.PDF - Witness Statements - Ground 1 (item 4, .PDF, 219 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435484&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20-%20Ground%201-Master.PDF - Witness Statements - Ground 2 (item 5, .PDF, 201 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435485&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Witness%20Statements%20-%20Ground%202-Master.PDF - Photographs of Airplane Damage and Location (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 5 photos, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40435486&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photographs%20of%20Airplane%20Damage%20and%20Location%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.