# NTSB GAA19CA009: Stearman A75N1(PT17), N56949, New Orleans, LA, October 6, 2018

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: October 6, 2018, 11:15 local (16:15 UTC)
- Place: New Orleans, LA
- Coordinates: 30.03861, -90.02639 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.0386&lon=-90.0264&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Defining event: [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report April 8, 2019
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 98432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA009
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/98432/pdf
- NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98432
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA009

## Probable cause

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing.

## Findings

NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause.

- [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 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)
- [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)
- [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md)

## Sequence of events

The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened.

- [Landing: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Hard landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 2,102 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/092/sequence.md)
- [Landing: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); 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)
- [Approach-VFR go-around: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md)
- [Landing: 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)

## Analysis

The pilot reported that, while landing in a crosswind, the tailwheel-equipped biplane was "thrusted downward violently" and landed hard. He added that the biplane then veered right off the runway. He then attempted a go-around, but after applying power, realized the need for full left aileron to maintain heading. He decided to abort the go-around and reduced power to land. During the landing, he used brakes to avoid airport signs in the landing path, the right main tire "got some traction," and the biplane ground looped to the right. The biplane sustained substantial damage to both lower wings and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was from 110° at 15 knots and that terrain-induced moderate turbulence existed. The automated weather observation system at the airport reported the following about the time of the accident: temperature 88°F, dew point 75°F, visibility 10 miles, wind from 110° at 11 knots, and a broken layer of clouds at 2,800 ft. The pilot was landing the biplane on runway 18L.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported that, while landing in a crosswind, the tailwheel-equipped biplane was "thrusted downward violently" and landed hard. He added that the biplane then veered right off of the runway, he attempted a go around, but after applying power realized the need for full left aileron to maintain heading. He decided to abort the go around and reduced power to land. During the landing he used brakes to avoid airport signs in the landing path, the right main tire "got some traction", and the biplane ground loop to the right. The biplane sustained substantial damage to both lower wings and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the temperature was 80°F, visibility 10 miles in light rain showers, the wind was 110° at 15 knots, and a scattered cloud layer 2,200 feet. He further reported terrain-induced moderate turbulence. The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the temperature was 88°F, dew point 75°F, visibility was 10 miles, the wind was from 110° at 11 knots, and a broken layer of clouds at 2,800 feet. The pilot was landing on runway 18L.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56949](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56949), registered now, S/N 752793, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Stearman A75N1(PT17) (Undesignat)
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (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: 752793
- Year built: 1944
- Airframe hours: 6674
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 Series 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, December 23, 2017
- Departed: ASD, Slidell, LA
- Destination: NEW, New Orleans, LA
- Airport: NEW, Lakefront, runway 18L, 3,697 × 75 ft, asphalt
- Equipment: None

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 72; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 4, 2017; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,631 total, 251 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 110° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,800 ft broken
- Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 75 °F
- Altimeter: 30.04 inHg
- Observed at: KNEW, 1 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 20181006016729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20181006016729A), Oct 6, 2018: Boeing A75N1(PT17), New Orleans, LA, Substantial damage. Pilot was flying his stearman to knew to place on display for upcoming airshow. Approaching from north over lake ponchartrain, pilot was cleared by tower to…

## Other investigations on N56949 (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 LAX66D0345](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX66D0345), Apr 30, 1966: Boeing A75 (N56949), Delano, CA, substantial damage

## Docket (2 files)

The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 6, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=98432. 1.1 MB in all.

- Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 896 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470049&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF
- Accident Pictures (item 2, .PDF, 2 photos, 175 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40470050&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Pictures-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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