# NTSB LAX99LA126: Boeing Stearman A75N1, N52558, Mesa, AZ, March 20, 1999 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: March 20, 1999, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.439361, -111.849975 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4394&lon=-111.8500&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2001 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 45949 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA126 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/45949/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA126 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty and variable crosswind condition, which led to a loss of directional control and 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 - roll - weather condition - crosswind - weather condition - gusts - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command - In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot said this was the third flight of the day and the winds 'were acting up.' The wind checks on final from the tower were 140 degrees at 10 knots with gusts, and a second one of 160 degrees at 15 knots shortly thereafter. The pilot stated that he touched down in a wheel landing, rolled a short distance, and the aircraft suddenly turned 90 degrees to the left. The pilot noted that he encountered a wind phenomena that was abrupt and without warning, and was unable to make any corrections. The right landing gear collapsed and the right lower wing was bent. ## Factual narrative On March 20, 1999, at 1220 hours mountain standard time, a Boeing Stearman A75N1 (PT17), N52558, ground looped while landing on runway 22L at Falcon Field Airport, Mesa, Arizona. The aircraft, originating from Falcon Field about 1130, was returning from a local area personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. Operated by the pilot, the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The airline transport pilot and his passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. In a telephone interview with the Safety Board, the pilot said this was the third flight of the day and the winds "were acting up." The wind checks on final from the tower were 140 degrees at 10 knots with gusts, and a second one of 160 degrees at 15 knots shortly thereafter. The pilot stated that he touched down in a wheel landing, rolled a short distance, and the aircraft suddenly turned 90 degrees to the left. The pilot noted that he encountered a wind phenomena that was abrupt and without warning, and was unable to make any corrections. The right landing gear collapsed and the right lower wing was bent. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N52558](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N52558), registered now, S/N 75-4894, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman A75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680E series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680e-series) (registry code 41545, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-4894 - Airframe hours: 5269 - Engines: Lycoming R680E 300 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Russell L. Allen - Registered owner: Edgar T Newberg - Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special); Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 19, 1998, 51 hours before - Departed: FFZ - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field, runway 22L, 5,102 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 11,746 total, 65 in this make and model, 5,500 as pilot in command, 180 in the last 90 days, 41 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 130° at 5 knots - Visibility: 40 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: FFZ ## 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 19990320002319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990320002319A), Mar 20, 1999: Boeing A75N1, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. Acft ground looped after landing and ran off the rwy, other circumstances are unknown.(.19) on March 20, 1999, at 1220 hours mountain standard time, a Boeing… 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.