# NTSB GAA17CA053: Boeing A75N1(PT17), N68117, Valley Center, KS, October 22, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: October 22, 2016, 12:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Valley Center, KS - Coordinates: 37.842224, -97.351387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8422&lon=-97.3514&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining events: [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200); [Standing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 3 uninjured - Status: Completed, report January 18, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 94324 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA053 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94324/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94324 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA053 ## Probable cause (aircraft 2) The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and to see and avoid the airplane stopped on the edge of the runway. ## Probable cause (aircraft 1) The other pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll and to see and avoid the airplane stopped on the edge of the runway. ## 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), aircraft 1; 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) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome, aircraft 1; 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) - [Physical workspace: visibility](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020): Environmental issues › Task environment · Effect on personnel, aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 25 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03041020/cases.md) - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring other aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 231 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021540/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot of other aircraft (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: aircraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/cases.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 116 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022040/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), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 1; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470), aircraft 1; 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) - [Standing: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event), aircraft 2; cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A-3, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md?model=3371618), [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis (aircraft 2) The pilot of the tail-wheel equipped Fairchild airplane reported that after landing on the 2,400-foot long by 100-foot wide private grass runway, he pulled off to the right of the runway about 2/3 of the way down with his engine at idle power to watch a Stearman airplane, which he had been flying in tandem with, land. The Fairchild pilot further reported that the Stearman appeared to be approaching a little fast, touched down about 1/2 way down the runway, and started drifting to the right, toward the stopped Fairchild. The pilot of the tail-wheel equipped Stearman biplane reported that during the landing roll he was looking out of the left side of the Stearman, misjudged the width of the grass runway, and "clipped [the Fairchild] on [the] edge of runway". The Stearman then impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the lower left wing and both right wings. The Fairchild sustained substantial damage to the engine cowl and firewall. The Fairchild pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Stearman pilot reported that it was possible that the tailwheel bracket was broken prior to the airplane colliding with the Fairchild and impacting trees. In a postaccident interview with the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the Stearman pilot reported that during the initial preflight and taxi of the airplane, the tailwheel bracket "looked good" and he had no issues steering during taxi and takeoff. ## Analysis (aircraft 1) The pilot of the tail-wheel equipped Fairchild airplane reported that after landing on the 2,400-foot long by 100-foot wide private grass runway, he pulled off to the right of the runway about 2/3 of the way down with his engine at idle power to watch a Stearman airplane, which he had been flying in tandem with, land. The Fairchild pilot further reported that the Stearman appeared to be approaching a little fast, touched down about 1/2 way down the runway, and started drifting to the right, toward the stopped Fairchild. The pilot of the tail-wheel equipped Stearman biplane reported that during the landing roll he was looking out of the left side of the Stearman, misjudged the width of the grass runway, and "clipped [the Fairchild] on [the] edge of runway". The Stearman then impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the lower left wing and both right wings. The Fairchild sustained substantial damage to the engine cowl and firewall. The Fairchild pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Stearman pilot reported that it was possible that the tailwheel bracket was broken prior to the airplane colliding with the Fairchild and impacting trees. In a postaccident interview with the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the Stearman pilot reported that during the initial preflight and taxi of the airplane, the tailwheel bracket "looked good" and he had no issues steering during taxi and takeoff. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 2) The pilot of the tail-wheel equipped Fairchild airplane reported that after landing on the 2,400-foot long by 100-foot wide private grass runway, he pulled off to the right of the runway about 2/3 of the way down with his engine at idle power to watch a Stearman airplane, which he had been flying in tandem with, land. The Fairchild pilot further reported that the Stearman appeared to be approaching a little fast, touched down about 1/2 way down the runway, and started drifting to the right, toward the stopped Fairchild. The pilot of the tail-wheel equipped Stearman biplane reported that during the landing roll he was looking out of the left side of the Stearman, misjudged the width of the grass runway, and "clipped [the Fairchild] on [the] edge of runway". The Stearman then impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the lower left wing and both right wings. The Fairchild sustained substantial damage to the engine cowl and firewall. The Fairchild pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Stearman pilot reported that it was possible that the tailwheel bracket was broken prior to the airplane colliding with the Fairchild and impacting trees. In a postaccident interview with the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the Stearman pilot reported that during the initial preflight and taxi of the airplane, the tailwheel bracket "looked good" and he had no issues steering during taxi and takeoff. ## Factual narrative (aircraft 1) The pilot of the tail-wheel equipped Fairchild airplane reported that after landing on the 2,400-foot long by 100-foot wide private grass runway, he pulled off to the right of the runway about 2/3 of the way down with his engine at idle power to watch a Stearman airplane, which he had been flying in tandem with, land. The Fairchild pilot further reported that the Stearman appeared to be approaching a little fast, touched down about 1/2 way down the runway, and started drifting to the right, toward the stopped Fairchild. The pilot of the tail-wheel equipped Stearman biplane reported that during the landing roll he was looking out of the left side of the Stearman, misjudged the width of the grass runway, and "clipped [the Fairchild] on [the] edge of runway". The Stearman then impacted a tree, resulting in substantial damage to the lower left wing and both right wings. The Fairchild sustained substantial damage to the engine cowl and firewall. The Fairchild pilot did not report any mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The Stearman pilot reported that it was possible that the tailwheel bracket was broken prior to the airplane colliding with the Fairchild and impacting trees. In a postaccident interview with the investigator-in-charge (IIC), the Stearman pilot reported that during the initial preflight and taxi of the airplane, the tailwheel bracket "looked good" and he had no issues steering during taxi and takeoff. ## Aircraft 1 - Registration: [N68117](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68117), registered now, S/N 75-7280 (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) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-7280 - Year built: 1942 - Airframe hours: 3853 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 9, 2016 - Departed: 71K, WICHITA, KS - Destination: 3KS5, Valley Center, KS - Airport: 3KS5, High Point, runway 17, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Aircraft 2 - Registration: [N73529](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N73529), registered now, S/N T43-4456, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD M62A (3) - Registry model: [Fairchild M-62A-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-m-62a-3) (registry code 3371618) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Fairchild 6-440 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/fairchild-6-440-series) (registry code 26003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T43-4456 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 1472.8 - Engines: Ranger 6-440C-5 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, February 10, 2016 - Departed: 71K, WICHITA, KS - Destination: 3KS5, Valley Center, KS - Airport: 3KS5, High Point, runway 17, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot, aircraft N68117; age 70; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2016; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 7,000 total, 150 in this make and model, 6,800 as pilot in command, 50 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot, aircraft N73529; age 79; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 13, 2015; seat: front; flight hours: 2,585 total, 87 in this make and model, 2,470 as pilot in command, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 64 °F, dew point 48 °F - Altimeter: 30.04 inHg - Observed at: KAAO, 8 nm away ## 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 20161022021952A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161022021952A), Oct 22, 2016: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Valley Center, KS, Substantial damage. On October 22, 2016, at approximately 1700 UTC, the airman, and pilot-in-command of a Boeing PT-17 stearman series aircraft, was involved in an aircraft… - [Accident 20161022023262A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20161022023262A), Oct 22, 2016: Fairchild M-62A-3, Valley Center, KS, Substantial damage. On October 22, 2016, at approximately 1200 central daylight time, the airman, and pilot-in-command of a Fairchild PT-26, was involved in an aircraft accident… ## Other investigations on N68117 (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 CEN11CA256](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN11CA256), Mar 25, 2011: Boeing A75N1(PT17) (N68117), Wichita, KS, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 6, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94324. 1.5 MB in all. - N68117 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 256 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40458994&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=N68117%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - N68117 Memorandum for Record - Telephone Interview, Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 187 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447068&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=N68117%20Memorandum%20for%20Record%20-%20Telephone%20Interview,%20Pilot-Master.PDF - N73529 Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 3, .PDF, 695 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447069&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=N73529%20Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 2 photos, 389 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40447070&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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. --- 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.