# NTSB MIA89LA141: Boeing A75N1, N57946, New Smyrna Bch., FL, April 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 28, 1989, 14:30 local (18:30 UTC)
- Place: New Smyrna Bch., FL
- Location: 29.0258° N, 80.9270° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of New Smyrna Beach, FL, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.0258&lon=-80.9270&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 22, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 32430
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA89LA141
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/32430/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89LA141

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO ADEQUATELY PREFLIGHT THE AIRPLANE. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO USE THE BRAKES TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND POOR INSPECTION OF THE AIRPLANE BY COMPANY MAINTENANCE PERSONNEL.

## 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
  - maintenance,100-hour inspection - poor, company maintenance personnel (contributing factor)
  - flt control syst,rudder - improper (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - poor, pilot in command (cause)
  - flt control syst,elevator control - movement restricted (contributing factor)
  - elevator - not possible, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - brakes(normal) - not used, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve (cause)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER DEPARTURE, THE AIRPLANE RETURNED TO LAND BECAUSE THE TAIL HOOK WAS NOT ATTACHED. AFTER A NORMAL APCH & THREE POINT LNDG WITH A 20 DEGREE LEFT CROSSWIND AT 10 KTS, THE AIRPLANE WEATHER VANED. THE PLT APPLIED FULL RT RUDDER, UP ELEVATOR, & LEFT AILERON CONTROL AS THE WING WAS RAISED BY THE WIND. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED TO TURN. THE UPPER & LOWER RT WINGS WERE DAMAGED BY CONTACT WITH THE GROUND. EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED THAT THE RUDDER STOPS WERE REMOVED WHICH ALLOWED THE RUDDER TO CONTACT THE ELEVATOR RENDERING IT INOPERABLE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57946](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57946), registered now, S/N 75-2109 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (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: 75-2109
- Airframe hours: 4118
- Engines: P&W R-985-39A 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: Doan Helicopters, Inc.
- Registered owner: Doan Helicopter, Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: 100 hour, April 26, 1989, 10 hours before
- Airport: 34J, Ne Smyrna Beach Muni., runway 29, 4,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 42; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,732 total, 361 in this make and model, 321 in the last 90 days, 111 in the last 30 days, 5 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 240° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 12 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 90 °F, dew point 57 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: DAB, 10 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 19890428010409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890428010409A), Apr 28, 1989: Boeing A75N1, New Smyrna Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Ground looped landing in a crosswind. No rudder stops allowed rudder to block elevators to neutral position.

## Other investigations on N57946 (1)

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.

- [NTSB MIA89FA176](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA89FA176), Jun 15, 1989: Boeing A-75 (N57946), Daytona Beach, FL, destroyed, 1 fatal. Probable cause: THE BIPLANE PILOT FAILED TO SEE AND AVOID THE COLLISION WITH THE BANNER BEING TOWED BY THE OTHER AIRPLANE.

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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