# NTSB GAA17CA564: Boeing PT 13, N43JM, Skagit, WA, September 28, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 28, 2017, 12:00 local (19:00 UTC) - Place: Skagit, WA - Coordinates: 48.470554, -122.421669 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=48.4706&lon=-122.4217&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 14, 2018 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 96110 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA17CA564 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/96110/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96110 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA17CA564 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from airport lighting during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: runway/taxi/approach light](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [All aircraft, 106 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022012/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: Ground collision](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200) (defining event); cases with it: [All aircraft, 618 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/200/sequence.md) ## Analysis According to the pilot in the high-performance, tailwheel-equipped biplane, he landed on a turf airstrip which he described as "long and wide." He added that "there was no wind." During the landing roll, he taxied the biplane along the right edge of the runway, and the lower right wing struck a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) control box. The pilot reported that the accident was caused by a lack of situational awareness during the landing roll. The PAPI lights were identified in the airport facility directory. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right-wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative According to the pilot in the high-performance, tailwheel-equipped bi-plane, he landed on a turf airstrip which he described as, "long and wide and there was no wind." During the landing roll, he piloted the airplane along the right edge of the runway, and the lower right wing struck a precision approach path indicator (PAPI) control box. The pilot reported that the accident was caused by a lack of situational awareness during the landing roll. The PAPI lights are identified in the airport facility directory. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the lower right-wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: N43JM (not matched to a registry record) - Reported make and model: BOEING PT 13 (D) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-5825 - Year built: 1943 - Engines: Lycoming R-680-17 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 15, 2017 - Departed: 3W5, CONCRETE, WA - Destination: KBVS, Burlington, WA - Airport: BVS, Skagit Rgnl, runway 22, 3,000 × 60 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: Heads up display, Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 58; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 27, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,640 total, 15 in this make and model, 1,559 as pilot in command, 76 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 60° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 52 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: KBVS ## 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 20170928011159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170928011159A), Sep 28, 2017: Boeing PT-13D, Mount Vernon, WA, Substantial damage. By evidence of the ground roll out after landing, it is likely that the pilot was distracted with interest in directional control, and control inputs, having… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 30, 2018, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=96110. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461476&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 104 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40461477&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo-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.