# NTSB NYC03LA115: Boeing Stearman D75-N1, N59768, Avis, PA, May 26, 2003 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 2003, 14:50 local (18:50 UTC) - Place: Avis, PA - Coordinates: 41.184722, -77.313888 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.1847&lon=-77.3139&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report March 2, 2004 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 57045 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC03LA115 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57045/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC03LA115 ## Probable cause A loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. A factor in this accident were weather conditions favorable to carburetor ice. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of engine power(partial) - nonmechanical, cruise - weather condition - carburetor icing conditions (contributing factor) - Forced landing, descent - emergency - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, emergency landing - terrain condition - crop ## Analysis The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight when he reduced the throttle to idle, and began a gradual descent to an altitude of about 500 feet. At that time, the pilot advanced the throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The engine never developed more than a "fast idle" and the pilot was unable to restore engine power. The pilot located a corn field and performed an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. A weather observation reported at an airport about 20 miles east of the accident site, included a temperature and dew point of 62 and 55 degrees F; respectively. According to an FAA carburetor icing probability chart, the weather conditions were favorable for moderate icing at cruise speed, or serious icing at glide power. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 2003, about 1450 eastern daylight time, a Boeing Stearman D75-N1, N59768, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Avis, Pennsylvania. The certificated commercial pilot sustained minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local flight that originated from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. The personal flight was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight when he reduced the throttle to idle, and began a gradual decent to an altitude of about 500 feet. At that time, the pilot advanced the throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The engine never developed more than a "fast idle" and the pilot was unable to restore engine power. The pilot located a corn field and decided to attempt an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airframe and engine by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. The top portions of the wings and the aft portion of the airplane were substantially damaged. The engine was separated from its mounts. The pilot reported 2,900 hours of total flight experience on his most recent application for an FAA second class medical certificate, which was issued on October 23, 2001. A weather observation reported at an airport about 20 miles east of the accident site, at 1406, included a temperature and dew point of 62 and 55 degrees F; respectively. According to an FAA carburetor icing probability chart, the weather conditions were favorable for moderate icing at cruise speed, or serious icing at glide power. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N59768](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N59768), registered now, S/N 75-3837, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman D75-N1 - Registry model: [Boeing D75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-d75n1) (registry code 1380148) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-3837 - Airframe hours: 785 - Engines: Continental W670 250 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Carl S. Williamson - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, May 3, 2002, 4 hours before - Departed: LHV, Lock Haven, PA - Destination: P96, Jersey Shore, PA - Airport: NONE ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 62; injuries: minor; private, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review August 19, 2002; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,799 total, 825 in this make and model, 2,692 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 310° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 2,400 ft broken - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 55 °F - Altimeter: 29.93 inHg - Observed at: IPT, 20 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 20030526017599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030526017599A), May 26, 2003: Boeing D75N1, Avis, PA, Substantial damage. (-23) Pilot reduced power at 900 ft. AGL descended to 500 ft. AGL. The throttle was advanced with no response in power. Pilot decided to perform emergency… ## Other investigations on N59768 (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 MKC74FCA09](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MKC74FCA09), Aug 10, 1973: Boeing A75N1 (N59768), Creve Coeur, MO, substantial damage 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.