# NTSB GAA17CA330: Boeing B75N1, N218DL, Williamson, GA, June 3, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: June 3, 2017, 10:20 local (14:20 UTC) - Place: Williamson, GA - Coordinates: 33.183334, -84.371665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.1833&lon=-84.3717&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 14, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 95346 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA330 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/95346/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95346 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA330 ## Probable cause The pilot’s aggressive and early forward stick application during the landing roll, which resulted in his failure to maintain pitch control and a subsequent nose-over. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: pitch control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 526 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062022/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Action: incorrect action sequence](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 77 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041020/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: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that he was performing a wheel landing on a turf runway. He recalled that he was too aggressive and too early moving the stick forward during the touchdown and landing roll. The airplane's tail lifted, the nose pitched down, and the propeller stuck the ground. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented "by not being so early moving the stick forward in a taildragger during a wheel landing." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that he was performing a wheel landing on a turf surface runway. He recalled that he was too aggressive and too early moving the stick forward during the touchdown and landing roll. The airplane's tail ascended, the nose pitched down and the propeller stuck the ground. The airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the vertical stabilizer and the rudder. Per the National Transportation Safety Board Pilot Aircraft Accident Report, the pilot reported that the accident could have been prevented, "by not being so early moving the stick forward in a taildragger during a wheel landing." The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N218DL](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N218DL), registered now, S/N 75-7389, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING B75N1 (N1) - Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (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: 75-7389 - Year built: 1943 - Engines: Jacobs B755 275 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 1, 2017 - Departed: DZJ, BLAIRSVILLE, GA - Destination: GA2, Williamson, GA - Airport: GA2, Alexander Memorial, runway 13, 2,400 × 100 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Data recorder ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 76; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 25, 2017; seat: rear; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 24,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 15,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.11 inHg - Observed at: K6A2, 6 nm away ## Other investigations on N218DL (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 LAX93LA238](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX93LA238), Jun 1, 1993: Boeing B75N1 (N218DL), Pacoima, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: A FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY COMPENSATE FOR CROSS WIND CONDITIONS AND A FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE. - [NTSB LAX81DUG38](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DUG38), Jul 3, 1981: Boeing B75N1 (N218DL), Chino, CA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 12, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=95346. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456984&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456985&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. --- 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.