# NTSB LAX03LA195: Boeing Stearman E75, N6030V, Casa Grande, AZ, June 12, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 12, 2003, 15:43 local (22:43 UTC) - Place: Casa Grande, AZ - Coordinates: 32.954723, -111.76667 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=32.9547&lon=-111.7667&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 29, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 57238 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX03LA195 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57238/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX03LA195 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the wind conditions, and his failure to maintain aircraft control resulting in an inadvertent ground loop. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - weather condition - crosswind - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The airplane ground looped on runway touchdown after it encountered a crosswind gust. As a result, the right wing rose, and the aircraft veered 20 degrees to the right of the runway. The pilot attempted to recover by quickly adding power, but the left wingtip impacted the ground. The aircraft ground looped and came to rest inverted about 40 yards north of the runway. The Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) reported winds from 200 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. The Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) reported winds from 280 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 12, 2003, at 1543 mountain standard time, a Boeing Stearman E75, N6030V, ground looped after encountering a crosswind gust while landing at Casa Grande Municipal Airport (CGZ), Casa Grande, Arizona. The owner was operating the airplane under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91 as a personal flight. The commercial pilot and one passenger were not injured; the airplane sustained substantial damage. The cross-country flight departed Blythe Airport (BLH), Blythe, California, about 1500, en route to CGZ. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and a flight plan had not been filed. The primary wreckage was at 32 degrees 57 minutes north latitude and 111 degrees 46 minutes west longitude. During a telephone interview with the National Transportation Safety Board investigator-in-charge (IIC), the pilot stated that as the aircraft touched down on runway 23, a gust of wind blew from the left. As a result, the right wing rose, and the aircraft veered 20 degrees to the right of the runway. The pilot attempted to recover by quickly adding power, but while still in ground effect, the left wingtip impacted the ground. The aircraft ground looped and came to rest inverted about 40 yards north of the runway. The pilot checked the Automated Weather Observation Station (AWOS) prior to landing, which reported winds from 200 degrees at 10 knots, gusting to 15 knots. He also observed the windsock, which appeared to show calmer winds. The Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR) for the time of the accident reported winds from 280 degrees at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6030V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6030V), registered now, S/N 75-3630, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman E75 - Registry model: [Boeing E75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-e75) (registry code 1380120) (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: 75-3630 - Airframe hours: 6490 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard Elzinga - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 5, 2003, 6 hours before - Departed: BLH, Blythe, CA - Destination: CGZ, Casa Grande, AZ - Airport: CGZ, Casa Grande Municipal Airport, runway 23, 5,200 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review October 4, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,072 total, 91 in this make and model, 920 as pilot in command, 9 in the last 90 days, 7 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 8 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 97 °F, dew point 32 °F - Altimeter: 29.72 inHg - Observed at: CGZ ## 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 20030612031219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030612031219A), Jun 12, 2003: Boeing E75, Casa Grande, AZ, Substantial damage. (-23) The pilot had landed on runway 23 at the Casa Grande, AZ airport (cgz) when a gust of wind caught the aircraft and caused it to drift off the right side… 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.