# NTSB LAX97LA130: Boeing Stearman B75N1, N68800, Victorville, CA, March 21, 1997 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 21, 1997, 10:30 local (18:30 UTC) - Place: Victorville, CA - Location: 34.5955° N, 117.3827° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOGISTICS (VCV), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.5955&lon=-117.3827&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report May 21, 1998 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 29748 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX97LA130 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/29748/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX97LA130 ## Probable cause failure of the pilot to maintain directional control of the aircraft 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 - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - Gear collapsed, landing - flare/touchdown - landing gear,main gear - overload ## Analysis The pilot stated that during the landing rollout, the left wheel failed and the airplane became uncontrollable. The airplane ground looped, and the left gear came off and struck the propeller. An FAA inspector was present at the time of the accident and reported that the landing was made with a slight quartering tailwind, but appeared normal. However; the airplane became airborne again after initial touchdown, and it subsequently ground looped, shearing the left main landing gear. According to the inspector, there was no indication of brakes being used, and the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. The FAA inspector examined the aircraft and found no discrepancy with the control system, brakes, or landing gear. ## Factual narrative On March 21, 1997, at 1030 hours Pacific standard time, a Boeing Stearman B75N1, N68800, sheared the left landing gear in a ground loop while landing at Southern California International Airport, Victorville, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot and passenger, co-owners of the aircraft, were not injured. The personal flight originated from Upland, California, at 1000 on the day of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the flight. The pilot reported that the "left wheel broke on rollout after landing," and the airplane became uncontrollable. The airplane ground looped and the left gear came off and went through the propeller. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office who was present at the time of the accident, the aircraft was landing with a slight quartering tailwind, but appeared to make a normal landing, became airborne again, and subsequently ground looped. The FAA stated that there was no indication of brakes being used, and that the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft and sheared the left main gear off. The aircraft and engine were inspected on scene and no discrepancies were identified. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N68800](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68800), registered now, S/N 75-1694, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman B75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (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: 1694 - Airframe hours: 2590 - Engines: P&W R985 AN-1 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Ken Mccullough - Registered owner: Ken And Louise Mccullough - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 31, 1996, 21 hours before - Departed: CCB, UPLAND, CA - Destination: VCV, CA - Airport: VCV, Southern California Intl, runway 21, 9,136 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,659 total, 290 in this make and model, 1,659 as pilot in command, 13 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 5 statute miles - Temperature: 75 °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 19970321003419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970321003419A), Mar 21, 1997: Boeing B75N1, Victorville, CA, Substantial damage. Lost directional control landing. Ground looped. Sheared off left main gear. 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.