# NTSB GAA16CA384: Boeing A75, N4558N, St. James, MO, July 17, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: July 17, 2016, 18:35 local (23:35 UTC)
- Place: St. James, MO
- Coordinates: 37.997222, -91.614166 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.9972&lon=-91.6142&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor, 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report December 5, 2016
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93653
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA384
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93653/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93653
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA384

## Probable cause

The pilot's loss of control while performing an aerobatic maneuver resulting in an inadvertent spin and collision with trees and 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 A75, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380108), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md)
- [Action: incorrect action performance](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md?model=1380108), [All aircraft, 1,386 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041015/cases.md)
- [Performance/control parameters: airspeed](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md?model=1380108), [All aircraft, 1,681 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062010/cases.md)
- [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Boeing A75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=1380108), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Boeing A75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1380108), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220); cases with it: [Boeing A75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=1380108), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241); cases with it: [Boeing A75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=1380108), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing A75, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1380108), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md)
- [Maneuvering-aerobatics: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Boeing A75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1380108), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Boeing A75, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380108), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The private pilot reported that during a local flight in the aerobatic biplane, he performed an aerobatic flight maneuver about 2,000 feet above ground level. He reported that he performed a left wing over, the airplane entered an unintentional spin and he recovered from the spin too low to the ground. The airplane impacted trees and came to rest upright, but sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations.

## Factual narrative

The private pilot reported that during a local flight in the aerobatic biplane, he performed an aerobatic flight maneuver about 2,000 feet above ground level. He reported that he performed a left wing over, the airplane entered an unintentional spin and he recovered from the spin too low to the ground. The airplane impacted trees and came to rest upright, but sustained substantial damage to both wings, fuselage and empennage. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies with the airplane during the flight that would have prevented normal flight operations.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4558N](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4558N), registered now, S/N 75-8457 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75 (UNDESIGNAT)
- Registry model: [Boeing A75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75) (registry code 1380108) (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: 75-8457
- Airframe hours: 2341.8
- Engines: Continental W670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 10, 2015
- Departed: PVT, St. James, MO
- Destination: PVT, St. James, MO
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 26, 2015; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,034 total, 502 in this make and model, 35 in the last 90 days, 26 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: VIH, 11 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 20160717011199A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160717011199A), Jul 17, 2016: Boeing A75, St. James, MO, Destroyed. The pilot was flying an open cockpit bi plane (Boeing A75) with a passenger at about 1000 feet above the ground. He lost control of the aircraft while…

## Other investigations on N4558N (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 CHI01LA164](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA164), Jun 8, 2001: Boeing Stearman A-75 (N4558N), Marissa, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's manuever to avoid obstructions and his failure to abort takeoff. The pilot's failure to establish adequate climb, and the transmission wire are contributing factors.
- [NTSB FTW67F0562](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW67F0562), Apr 18, 1967: Boeing A-75 (N4558N), Bay City, TX, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 1, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93653. 2.0 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445986&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 173 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40445987&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%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.

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