# NTSB FTW98LA168: Boeing A75N (PT-17), N59448, Grand Junction, CO, March 24, 1998 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 24, 1998, 13:00 local (20:00 UTC) - Place: Grand Junction, CO - Coordinates: 39.080883, -108.549186 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0809&lon=-108.5492&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 8, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 20567 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW98LA168 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/20567/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW98LA168 ## Probable cause Failure by the pilot to maintain control of the aircraft during landing roll. Factors were variable winds and the pilot's lack of recent experience in make and model. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, takeoff - roll/run - weather condition - variable wind (contributing factor) - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - lack of recent experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor) ## Analysis While performing a touch-and-go landing on the first flight after the aircraft had been stored for the winter, the pilot landed with variable winds and during landing roll, the left wing lifted dragging the lower right wing on the runway. Damage was incurred on the lower right wing, aileron, and lower right wing spar. ## Factual narrative On March 24, 1998, at 1230 mountain standard time, a Boeing A75N (PT-17), N59448, received substantial damage when a ground loop occurred during landing at Grand Junction Municipal Airport, Grand Junction, Colorado. The private pilot was not injured and no flight plan was filed for this cross- country flight to Aspen, Colorado. The flight was operating under Title 14 CFR Part 91. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. The flight departed Grand junction at 1220. In an interview, the pilot said he took off and stayed in the pattern to "do some touch-and-go landings." According to his statement, the last wind check he received from the control tower prior to his first landing was from 260 degrees magnetic heading at 12 knots. He was landing on runway 29 and the recorded wind taken by the tower at 1258 was from 160 degrees magnetic at 5 knots. The pilot said that, during landing roll, a gust of wind picked up the left wing and the right lower wing struck the runway. He said he was able to stop the aircraft, and he then taxied to the hangar. The pilot also stated this was his first flight after the aircraft had been in a hangar for the winter, and as such he lacked recent experience. Examination of the aircraft by a certified mechanic provided information that damage was to the right lower wing, right aileron, and right lower wing spar. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59448](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59448), registered now, S/N 75-2115, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing A75N (PT-17) (A75N (PT-1) - 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: 75-2115 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Win Win Enterprises, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: GJT - Destination: ASE, ASPEPN, CO - Airport: GJT, Walker Field, runway 29, 10,501 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,045 total, 150 in this make and model, 895 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 14 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: GJT, 1 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 19980324005539A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19980324005539A), Mar 24, 1998: Boeing A75N1, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. Wind gust lifted wing on landing roll. Dragged other wing during ground loop. (.4)while performing a touch-and-go landing on the first flight after the… ## Other investigations on N59448 (1) 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 CHI90LA156](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI90LA156), Jun 17, 1990: Boeing A75N1 (N59448), Aurora, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S INADEQUATE COMPENSATION FOR WIND CONDITIONS, AND HIS NOT MAINTAINING PROPER DIRECTIONAL CONTROL ON LANDING. 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.