# NTSB GAA16CA467: Boeing A75N1(PT17), N52236, Atlanta, TX, September 5, 2016

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: September 5, 2016, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Atlanta, TX
- Coordinates: 33.124443, -94.16333 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1244&lon=-94.1633&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 93959
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA467
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93959/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93959
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA467

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to attain the proper touchdown point on a grass airstrip and the airplane's subsequent collision with trees during an attempted aborted landing.

## 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 A75N1(PT17), 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380134), [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 A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md)
- [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on equipment; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=1380134), [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.

- [Landing: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 22 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Off-field or emergency landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 3,365 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/440/sequence.md)
- [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped biplane reported that during the landing on a grass airstrip, he landed long and was unable to stop before the landing gear contacted the edge of an intersecting asphalt runway and the biplane became airborne. The pilot further stated that after becoming airborne he aborted the landing, but the airplane impacted the top of a tree(s), descended, and touched down on an adjacent golf course. The biplane sustained substantial damage to both left wing struts. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Factual narrative

The pilot of the tailwheel equipped biplane reported that during the landing on a grass airstrip, he landed long and was unable to stop before the landing gear contacted the edge of an intersecting asphalt runway and the biplane became airborne. The pilot further stated that after becoming airborne he aborted the landing, but the airplane impacted the top of a tree(s), descended, and touched down on an adjacent golf course. The biplane sustained substantial damage to both left wing struts. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N52236](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52236), registered now, S/N 75-4841, built 1943 (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: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: GA99-32336-04
- Year built: 1943
- Airframe hours: 3201.2
- Engines: Continental W670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 9, 2015
- Departed: 24F, JEFFERSON, TX
- Destination: ATA, Atlanta, TX
- Airport: ATA, Hall-Miller Muni, runway 33, 2,264 × 75 ft, grass/turf
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 9, 2016; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 792 total, 98 in this make and model, 29 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.09 inHg
- Observed at: KTXK, 21 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 20160905016479A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160905016479A), Sep 5, 2016: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Atlanta, TX, Substantial damage. Pilot overshot grass runway decided to go around and try again upon climb out hit a tree and crashed on a golfcourse .

## Docket (3 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 4, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93959. 4.7 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.9 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446149&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 676 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446150&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-Master.PDF
- Memorandum for Record – Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 3, .PDF, 178 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40446151&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20%E2%80%93%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-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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