# NTSB LAX96LA201: Boeing-Brown E75NL, N5862V, Columbia, CA, May 19, 1996

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 19, 1996, 10:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Columbia, CA
- Coordinates: 38.109714, -120.379493 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.1097&lon=-120.3795&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 29444
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX96LA201
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29444/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX96LA201

## Probable cause

the pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing rollout.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Nose over, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - soft

## Analysis

The pilot executed a three point landing and was on rollout when the aircraft's nose yawed to the right.  He applied left rudder but was unable to stop the aircraft from ground looping.  The aircraft ran off the right side of the runway, encountered rain softened terrain, and nosed over onto its back.  Winds were reported as westerly from 3 to 5 knots.

## Factual narrative

On May 19, 1996, at 1030 hours Pacific daylight time, a Boeing-Brown, E75NL, N5862V, ground looped, ran off the runway, and nosed over while landing at Columbia Airport, Columbia, California.  The aircraft sustained substantial damaged and the certificated private pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured.  The aircraft was being operated as a personal flight by Inter Mountain Helicopter, Inc., when the accident occurred.  The local flight originated in Columbia at 1000 on the morning of the accident.  The pilot reported visual meteorological conditions with light westerly winds at the time and that no flight plan had been filed.

The pilot reported his approach to landing as uneventful.  He executed a three point landing and was on rollout when the aircraft's nose yawed to the right.  He applied left rudder but was unable to stop the aircraft from ground looping.  The aircraft ran off the right side of the runway, encountered rain softened terrain and nosed over onto its back.  He estimated a 3- to 5-knot right crosswind.

A postaccident examination of the aircraft was conducted by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) airworthiness inspectors.  They found no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions and provided confirmation of substantial damage on May 24, 1996.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5862V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N5862V), registered now, S/N 75-8074-MGB, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing-Brown E75NL
- Registry model: [Boeing-Brown STEARMAN E75NL](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-brown-stearman-e75nl) (registry code 1380121) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-8074-MGB
- Airframe hours: 3000
- Engines: Continental W670 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Inter Mountain Helicopters,Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 30, 1995, 75 hours before
- Departed: O22
- Airport: O22, Columbia, runway 17, 4,670 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 45; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 350 total, 60 in this make and model, 2 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 270° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °F

## 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 19960519014409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960519014409A), May 19, 1996: Boeing B75N1, Columbia, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Ground looped off runway and nosed over.

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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