# NTSB NYC02LA140: Boeing Stearman A75N1, N64567, Bardstown, KY, July 17, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 17, 2002, 09:40 local (13:40 UTC) - Place: Bardstown, KY - Coordinates: 37.814167, -85.499725 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.8142&lon=-85.4997&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report April 8, 2003 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 55236 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC02LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/55236/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55236 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA140 ## Probable cause The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection, which resulted in fuel contamination and subsequent loss of engine power. A factor in this accident was that the wing tank fuel drains were wire closed and could not be used. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, takeoff - initial climb - fluid,water - contamination,water (cause) - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - fuel system,drain - locked (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing after takeoff - terrain condition - ground ## Analysis The pilot reported he performed a thorough preflight inspection of the airplane and after a 1 hour flight, he landed to refuel. He added 30.5 gallons of aviation gasoline to the airplane and performed another preflight inspection, which included draining fuel from the "belly strainer." The pilot performed an engine run-up and a normal takeoff; however, shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 300 to 400 feet above the ground, the engine began to lose power. The pilot performed a forced landing to a field. However, the airplane impacted the ground left wing down and bounced. The engine separated from the fuselage and the airplane came to rest on the main landing gear. Examination of the engine revealed debris in the oil screen, which consisted of large carbon and rust deposits. The spark plugs all showed signs of fouling due to carbon deposits and three of the outboard spark plug electrode gaps were "closed" due to debris lodged in the head of the plugs. There was a small amount of fuel in the carburetor. The fuel was "milky white" in color. The belly drain was sumped, and the fuel was found to contain "large" amounts of water. It was also noted that the wing tank drains were wired closed and could not be sampled. ## Factual narrative On July 17, 2002, about 0940 eastern daylight time, a Boeing Stearman A75N1, N64567, was substantially damaged during a forced landing after takeoff Samuels Field (BRY), Bardstown, Kentucky. The certificated private pilot and one passenger sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the personal flight conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The flight originated at a private airstrip and the pilot intended to fly to an airport in Tennessee. In a written statement, the pilot said he performed a thorough preflight inspection of the airplane before he departed the private airstrip. After flying for about 1 hour, he landed at BRY to refuel. He added 30.5 gallons of aviation gasoline to the airplane and performed another preflight inspection, which included draining fuel from the "belly strainer." The pilot performed an engine run-up and a normal takeoff; however, shortly after takeoff, when the airplane was about 300 to 400 feet above the ground, the engine began to lose power. The pilot attempted a forced landing to a small field. However, the airplane impacted the ground left wing down and bounced. The engine separated from the fuselage and the airplane came to rest on the main landing gear. Examination of the airplane by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector revealed damage to both the left and right wing spars, aft fuselage, and firewall. Examination of the engine revealed debris in the oil screen, which consisted of large carbon and rust deposits. The spark plugs were examined and all exhibited signs of fouling consistent with carbon deposits. Three of the outboard spark plug electrode gaps were "closed" due to debris lodged in the head of the plugs. There was a small amount of fuel in the carburetor. The fuel was "milky white" in color. The belly drain was sumped, and the fuel was found to contain "large" amounts of water. The inspector also noted that the wing tank drains were wired closed and could not be sampled. According to the FAA inspector, the airplane was recently purchased at an estate sale, after having been in storage for about 12 years. The airplane had been checked by an aircraft mechanic prior to the accident flight, and it had a new carburetor and two new magnetos installed. Additionally, the airplane had been operated for about 1 hour since an annual inspection had been completed. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N64567](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N64567-2013-04-30), registration cancelled 2013-04-30, S/N 75-3385, built 1942 (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: 75-3385 - Engines: Continental R-670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Great Cloud Designs Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic; Standard, Normal - Departed: BRY, Bardstown, KY - Destination: 1A0, Chattanooga, TN - Airport: BRY, Samuels Field Airport, runway 02, 5,003 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 50; injuries: minor; foreign, private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; last flight review March 8, 2002; seat: rear; flight hours: 851 total, 2 in this make and model, 725 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 170° at 4 knots - Visibility: 3 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 72 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: LOU, 26 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 20020717016849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20020717016849A), Jul 17, 2002: Boeing A75N1, Bardstown, KY, No damage. (-23) On July 17, 2002, about 9:00 eastern daylight time, a Boeing 75-A75N1, N64567, made an off airport forced landing following a loss of engine power… ## Other investigations on N64567 (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 FTW68F0317](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW68F0317), Sep 8, 1967: Boeing A75N1 (N64567), Monroe, LA, substantial damage ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 30, 2002, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=55236. 563 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 499 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463341&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Telephone Memorandum (item 2, .PDF, 64 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40463342&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Telephone%20Memorandum-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.