# NTSB NYC03LA017: Boeing Stearman A75, N62897, Glade Spring, VA, November 11, 2002 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: November 11, 2002, 14:40 local (19:40 UTC) - Place: Glade Spring, VA - Coordinates: 36.779724, -81.733612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.7797&lon=-81.7336&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 2 minor - Status: Completed, report February 5, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Federal Aviation Admininstration - NTSB case key (mKey): 56048 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA017 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/56048/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA017 ## Probable cause the pilot's improper in-flight decision to fly at an altitude that did not allow for successful completion of a forced landing, after the engine lost power for undetermined reason(s). A factor was the unsuitable terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power, maneuvering - reason for occurrence undetermined (cause) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - In flight collision with object, emergency landing - in-flight planning/decision - improper, pilot in command (cause) - terrain condition - none suitable (contributing factor) - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The Boeing A75 was part of a three ship formation that participated in a flyover of a parade. Upon completion of the flyover, they headed towards their departure airport. En route, the accident airplane departed the formation, and engaged in low level flying. The pilot report that while maneuvering at a low altitude, the engine lost power, and he performed a forced landing, during which the airplane struck trees, and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that after the power loss, he added carburetor heat, changed throttle position, verified the mixture was rich and tried different magneto switch positions to restore power, but nothing restored power. The FAA examined the airplane and found fuel in the right wing tank. The cause of the power loss was not determined. ## Factual narrative On November 11, 2002, about 1440 eastern standard time, a Boeing Stearman A75, N62897, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Glade Spring, Virginia. The certificated private pilot, and pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated from Abingdon, Virginia. No flight plan had been filed for the personal fight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the accident airplane was part of a three airplane formation that had conducted a fly-by at a nearby Veterans Day celebration. At the completion of the fly-by, the three airplanes headed back to Abingdon. In the vicinity of Glade Spring, while two airplanes continued on to Abingdon, the pilot of the accident airplane broke formation, and descended. Several witnesses observed the accident airplane performing low level flight, below the level of the surrounding hills. The pilot reported that the pilot rated passenger was not handling the flight controls at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was maneuvering at a low altitude when the engine lost power, and could not clear a tree ahead of him. There was no suitable terrain that he could reach, and the airplane struck the tree, and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that he added carburetor heat, moved the throttle, verified that the mixture was rich, and tried different positions on the magneto switch. but was unable to restore power to the engine. He also stated that the airplane had been operated for about one hour and the fuel tank was full at departure. The FAA inspector reported that fuel was found in the fuel tank, the propeller was fragmented, the engine had separated from the airframe. The carburetor was crushed, and the fuel line that ran from the fuselage to the engine were separated, and no fuel remained in the line. The FAA inspector reported that he checked the fuel lines from the tank to the engine and there was no indication of obstructions in the lines. The upper and lower right side wings were destroyed, and the upper and lower left side wings had received substantial damage. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62897](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62897-2018-09-13), registration cancelled 2018-09-13, S/N 75-6960 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman A75 - Registry model: [Boeing A75 (PT13)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75-pt13) (registry code 1380180) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-6960 - Airframe hours: 4396 - Engines: Lycoming R-680-17 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: William A. Goodwin - Registered owner: Classic Planes, Inc. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 1, 2002, 4 hours before - Departed: VJI, Abingdon, VA - Destination: VJI ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 68; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review April 13, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,000 total, 60 in this make and model, 2,000 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 220° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,900 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: VJI, 15 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 20021111032809A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20021111032809A), Nov 11, 2002: Boeing A75, Glade Spring, VA, Substantial damage. (.19) On November 11, 2002, about 1445 eastern standard time, a Boeing stearman A75, N62897, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Glade Spring,… 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.