# NTSB GAA19CA253: Stearman A75N1(PT17), N67823, Gila Bend, AZ, April 26, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 26, 2019, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC) - Place: Gila Bend, AZ - Coordinates: 32.960277, -112.673614 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9603&lon=-112.6736&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 March 3, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 99396 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA253 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/99396/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99396 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA253 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch. ## 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 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) - [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) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/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: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing: 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 biplane reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered right, exited the runway to the right, and the left wingtip impacted a ditch. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the left, lower wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The biplane pilot reported that, during the landing roll, the airplane veered right, exited the runway to the right, and the left-wing tip impacted a ditch. The biplane sustained substantial damage to the left, lower wing spar. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N67823](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N67823), registered now, S/N 75-7365, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stearman A75N1(PT17) (3) - Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-7365 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 5134.19 - Engines: Lycoming R680 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Columbia Asset Trust Corp Trustee - Registered owner: Columbia Asset Trust Corp Trustee - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, September 28, 2018 - Departed: BLH, Blythe, CA - Destination: E63, Gila Bend, AZ - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: E63, Gila Bend Muni, runway 22, 5,200 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Satellite tracking device, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 9,020 total, 80 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Observed at: KBXK, 27 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 20190426011459A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190426011459A), Apr 26, 2019: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Gila Bend, AZ, Substantial damage. Pilot [privacy data omitted] landed at Gila Bend muni at approx. 1000 and on landing roll out drifted to the right and let the right main go off the runway… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on January 9, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=99396. 5.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 5.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479777&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 2, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40479778&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.