# NTSB NYC00LA204: Boeing PT17, N57851, Easton, MD, July 20, 2000

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: July 20, 2000, 16:45 local (20:45 UTC)
- Place: Easton, MD
- Coordinates: 38.77053, -76.060173 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.7705&lon=-76.0602&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): 49775
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC00LA204
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/49775/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC00LA204

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain aircraft control.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - sign

## Analysis

The pilot reported that while landing on the runway, the airplane ground-looped.  The lower left wing struck a runway sign as the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway, and came to rest in the grass.  Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.

## Factual narrative

On July 20, 2000, about 1645 Eastern Daylight Time, a Boeing PT17, N57851, was substantially damaged while landing at Easton Airport (ESN), Easton, Maryland.  The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91.  The flight originated from Suffolk Municipal Airport, Suffolk, Virginia, about 1440.

The pilot stated that he landed on Runway 33 at ESN, and during the landing, the airplane "ground-loop[ed]".  The lower left wing struck the ground as the airplane traveled off the left side of the runway, and came to rest in the grass.

Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions, nor did the pilot report any.  The inspector observed that the lower left wing spar was broken.  He added that the left wing struck a runway sign as the airplane traveled off the runway.

The reported winds at ESN, at 1645, were variable at 6 knots.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N57851](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N57851), registered now, S/N 75-053, built 1937 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing PT17
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-053
- Airframe hours: 6611
- Engines: Continental W 670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul E. Schlosser
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, August 30, 1999, 28 hours before
- Departed: SFK, SUFFOLK, VA
- Destination: ESN
- Airport: ESN, Easton Airport, runway 33, 4,003 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: rear; flight hours: 4,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 30 in the last 90 days, 20 in the last 30 days, 7 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 61 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: ESN

## 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 20000720012009A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20000720012009A), Jul 20, 2000: Boeing A75N1, Easton, MD, No damage. (-23) On 07/20/00 at Easton airport, MD, Mr. Paul eugene schlosser was acting as pilot in command of his Boeing stearman B-75,N57851. While landing on runway…

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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