# NTSB GAA18CA550: Boeing B75N1, N27WE, Culpeper, VA, September 1, 2018 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: September 1, 2018, 12:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Culpeper, VA - Coordinates: 38.525554, -77.859725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5256&lon=-77.8597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 26, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 98291 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA18CA550 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98291/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98291 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA550 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground-loop. ## 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 · Instructor/check 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) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/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) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/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 in the rear seat of the tailwheel-equipped biplane reported that he and another pilot were practicing landings on the asphalt runway. During the landing roll, the airplane entered a left ground-loop, and the bottom right wing and aileron collided with the ground. The airplane sustained substantial to the bottom right wing and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot in the rear seat of the tailwheel-equipped bi-plane reported that he and another pilot were practicing landings on the asphalt runway. During the landing roll a left ground-loop ensued and the bottom right wing and aileron collided with the ground. The airplane sustained substantial to the bottom right wing and aileron. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N27WE](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N27WE), registered now, S/N 75-6651, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING B75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental R670-SERIES series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-r670-series-series) (registry code 17016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-6651 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 2660 - Engines: Lycoming R680-E3B 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Hangar 39 LLC - Registered owner: Hangar 39 LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 2018 - Departed: VA30, Culpeper, VA - Destination: CJR, Culpeper, VA - Airport: CJR, Culpeper Rgnl, runway 04, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 28, 2018; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 24,007 total, 5 in this make and model, 8,514 as pilot in command, 235 in the last 90 days, 89 in the last 30 days - Pilot; age 63; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 1, 2018; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 1,272 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,180 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,300 ft overcast - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 73 °F - Altimeter: 30.26 inHg - Observed at: KCJR ## 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 20180901016149A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20180901016149A), Sep 1, 2018: Boeing B75N1, Brandy Station, VA, Substantial damage. On 01SEP2018 a stearman aircraft, N27WE, landed on runway 4, at cjr (Culpeper Regional Airport), ground looped upon landing, struck and dragged the bottom… ## Other investigations on N27WE (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 DCA10FA066](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DCA10FA066), Jun 8, 2010: Boeing B75N1 (N27WE), Arlington, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s inadvertent use of the wheel brakes at high speed during the touchdown phase of the landing. Contributing to the accident was the pilot’s lack of familiarity with the feel and… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on April 30, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98291. 3.6 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472312&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Photo (item 2, .PDF, 1 photo, 114 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40472313&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.