# NTSB ERA22LA379: Boeing A75N1, N55267, Bealeton, VA, August 20, 2022

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: August 20, 2022, 09:07 local (13:07 UTC)
- Place: Bealeton, VA · On runway 20
- Coordinates: 38.55222, -77.71528 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5522&lon=-77.7153&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining events: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor, 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation
- Parties: FAA/FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 105776
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA22LA379
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/105776/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105776
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA22LA379

## Probable cause (aircraft 1)

The pilot of the departing airplane’s failure to see and avoid the landing airplane before takeoff, resulting in a collision with the landing airplane. Contributing was the airport’s failure to encourage pilots to use radios for traffic deconfliction when equipped.

## 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 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)
- [Policy/procedure: availability of policy/proc](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021010): Organizational issues › Management · Airport (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021010/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021010/cases.md)
- [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause), aircraft 2; 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)
- [Policy/procedure: availability of policy/proc](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021010): Organizational issues › Management · Airport (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021010/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 28 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/04021010/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: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)
- [Takeoff: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md)

## Analysis (aircraft 1)

The vintage biplanes were operating at a private airport that provided airshows and airplane rides to the public. The pilot of the departing airplane taxied for takeoff and was number two behind another airplane that was taxiing ahead of him. At the same time, the pilot of the landing airplane was in the traffic pattern, preparing for landing. Local procedures required landing airplanes to make a low approach to signal airplanes taking off that a landing was imminent; the procedure was implemented because some airplanes at the airport were not equipped with radios. Landing aircraft had the right-of-way over aircraft taking off. The pilot of the landing airplane reported that he performed the required low approach, completed the traffic pattern, and proceeded onto final approach for landing. At the same time, the pilot of the departing airplane taxied onto the runway for takeoff and did not see the low approach by the landing airplane or his subsequent pattern. The pilot of the landing airplane did not see the departing airplane on the runway and landed on top of the departing airplane before the departing airplane became airborne. Both airplanes sustained substantial damage, the two pilots had minor injuries, and two passengers were not injured. Although both airplanes were equipped with radios, neither pilot was making radio calls; instead, they relied on the established visual traffic separation procedures only. A review of the airport’s standard operating procedures revealed that they did not address the use of radios or encourage pilots to use them if equipped. Following the accident, the airport made several modifications to their local procedures including recommending that all pilots of aircraft equipped with radios use them while in the traffic pattern; and moving the holding area short of the runway to another location that afforded better visibility of the traffic pattern.

## Aircraft 1

- Registration: [N55267](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N55267-2024-08-24), registration cancelled 2024-08-24, S/N 75-2310, built 1940 (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: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-2310
- Year built: 1940
- Airframe hours: 2487
- Engines: Continental W670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, March 20, 2022, 60 hours before
- Airport: 3VA3, Flying Circus Aerodrome, runway 20, 2,000 × 150 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Aircraft 2

- Registration: [N52652](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52652), registered now, S/N 75-4328, built 1942 (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: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-4328
- Year built: 1942
- Airframe hours: 3895
- Engines: Lycoming R680-13 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Business, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 15, 2022, 9 hours before
- Equipment: ADS-B

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot, aircraft N55267; age 62; injuries: minor; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 13, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,904 total, 3,730 in this make and model, 5,864 as pilot in command, 100 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours
- Pilot, aircraft N52652; age 62; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review March 26, 2022; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 5,900 total, 1,100 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 70 °F
- Altimeter: 30.18 inHg
- Observed at: KHWY, 2 nm away
- METAR: METAR KHWY 201255Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM SCT005 SCT090 22/21 A3018 RMK AO2 T02210206

## 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 20220820020112A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220820020112A), Aug 20, 2022: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Bealton, VA, Substantial damage. Investigation. Landing airplane completed a passenger ride, finishing up at around 1,500 ft AGL near the airport. He checked the pattern for other aircraft…
- [Accident 20220820020162A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20220820020162A), Aug 20, 2022: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Bealton, VA, Substantial damage. Investigation. The pilot of landing airplane completed a passenger ride, finishing up at around 1,500 ft AGL near the airport. He checked the pattern for other…

## Other investigations on N55267 (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 NYC06CA158](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC06CA158), May 29, 2006: Boeing A75N1 (N55267), South Hill, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during the landing, which resulted in a ground loop and a subsequent nose over.
- [NTSB MIA68D0108](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA68D0108), Jul 16, 1967: Boeing A75N1 (N55267), Dawson, GA, substantial damage

## Docket (6 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 31, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=105776. 22.4 MB in all.

- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (N55267) (item 1, PDF, 12 pages, 4.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14560276&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=1%206120%20N55267%20Brown_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (N52652) (item 2, PDF, 11 pages, 4.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14560380&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=2%206120%20N52652%20Isbell_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- NTSB memorandum for record - isbell interview (item 3, PDF, 3 pages, 141 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15019837&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20508%20Isbell_Redacted-Rel.pdf
- Photo array (item 4, PDF, 8 pages, 1.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14559846&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=3%20Photo%20Array-Rel.pdf
- Flying circus aerodrome - flight operations manual (item 5, PDF, 16 pages, 733 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14560251&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=4%20FCA%20Flight%20Operations%20Manual-Rel.pdf
- Accident video (item 6, MOV, 11.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=14560286&FileExtension=MOV&FileName=IMG_4214-Rel.MOV

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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