# NTSB GAA15CA082: Boeing PT 17, N55528, Williamson, GA, May 20, 2015 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 20, 2015, 11:20 local (15:20 UTC) - Place: Williamson, GA - Coordinates: 33.183612, -84.378608 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1836&lon=-84.3786&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report July 8, 2015 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 91216 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA15CA082 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/91216/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91216 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA15CA082 ## Probable cause The pilot landed off the right side of the runway resulting in a collision with terrain. ## 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 PT-17, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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 PT-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490); cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he misjudged the edge of the runway during the final approach segment of the flight and landed off the right side of the runway. The pilot attempted to realign the airplane back onto the runway but was unable to do so, subsequently the airplane impacted a ditch and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the right lift strut and rudder. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that he miss judged the edge of the runway during the final approach segment of the flight and landed off the right side of the runway. The pilot attempted to realign the airplane back onto the runway but was unable to do so, subsequently the airplane impacted a ditch and nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the right lift strut and rudder. The pilot reported there were no pre-impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N55528](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N55528), registered now, S/N 75-4611, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING PT 17 (UNDESIGNAT) - Registry model: [Boeing PT-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-pt-17) (registry code 1380136) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-4611 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 2575 - Engines: Continental W670-16 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Taylor Larry J - Registered owner: Taylor Larry J - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, December 9, 2014 - Departed: GA16, BOSTWICK, GA - Destination: GA2, Williamson, GA - Airport: GA2, Peach State, runway 13, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: minor; airline transport, flight engineer, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 2, 2013; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 25,000 total, 950 in this make and model, 25,000 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 15 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 30.02 inHg - Observed at: K6A2, 6 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 20150520016259A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20150520016259A), May 20, 2015: Boeing PT-17, Williamson, GA, Substantial damage. On landing pilot misjudged the runway centerline, touchdown was on right edge of runway in high grass, aircraft impacted a culvert and flipped upside down. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on July 1, 2015, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=91216. 4.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 788 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428742&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Front of Airplane (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428743&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Front%20of%20Airplane%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Rear of Airplane (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40428744&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Rear%20of%20Airplane%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.