# NTSB NYC02LA111: Boeing Stearman A75N1, N60812, Toughkenamon, PA, June 2, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: June 2, 2002, 12:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Toughkenamon, PA - Coordinates: 40.830276, -75.769721 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.8303&lon=-75.7697&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report April 18, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 54837 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA111 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/54837/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54837 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA111 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, a factor was the gusting wind conditions. ## 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 - gusts (contributing factor) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis According to the pilot, he was instructed by personnel on the ground to side-step, and land on a grass strip located to the left of the runway. After touching down on the grass, a wind gust raised the right wing, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane then impacted trees, and came to rest upright. The winds recorded at a nearby airport, about the time of the accident, were from 280 degrees, at 21 knots, with gusts to 27 knots. ## Factual narrative On June 2, 2002, about 1205 eastern daylight time, a Boeing Stearman A75N1, N60812, was substantially damaged while landing at the New Garden Airport (N57), Toughkenamon, Pennsylvania. The certificated private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to the pilot, he was on approach for runway 24, a 3,659-foot-long asphalt strip, when he was instructed by personnel on the ground to side-step, and land on a grass strip located to the left of the runway. After touching down on the grass, a wind gust raised the right wing, and the airplane veered off the left side of the runway. The airplane then impacted trees, and came to rest upright. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to the top and bottom of the left wing, and the left wing spar. The airplane also sustained damage to the propeller and engine cooling fins. The pilot did not report any mechanical problems with the airplane. A weather observation, recorded at an airport 13 miles to the northwest of N57, included wind from 280 degrees, at 21 knots with gusts to 27 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60812](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60812), registered now, S/N 75-3783, built 1941 (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: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 42-15594/75-3783 - Airframe hours: 3055 - Engines: Continental R670 220 hp reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Charles J. Gilligan - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 2002, 18 hours before - Departed: OXB, Ocean City, MD - Destination: N57, Toughkenamon, PA - Airport: N57, New Garden Airport, runway 24, 3,659 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review October 18, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 848 total, 320 in this make and model, 848 as pilot in command, 22 in the last 90 days, 13 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 280° at 21 knots, gusting 27 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 29.62 inHg - Observed at: ILG, 12 nm away ## Other investigations on N60812 (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 NYC89LA145](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA145), Jun 2, 1989: Boeing Stearman A75N1 (N60812), Erwinna, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: LOSS CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH TREES DUE TO FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND AND LACK OF SUPERVISION BY THE CFI. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 5, 2003, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=54837. 353 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 259 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40177435&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Pilot Statement (item 2, .PDF, 28 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40177436&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%20Statement-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 66 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40177437&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF 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.