# NTSB NYC78FHA34: Stearman PT-17, N46Y, Pottstown, PA, September 17, 1978

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Closed
- Date: September 17, 1978
- Place: Pottstown, PA · POTTSTOWN, PA
- Location: 40.2509° N, 75.6448° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Pottstown, PA, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.2509&lon=-75.6448&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 31, 1978
- Report: Brief approved by the director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 139564
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC78FHA34
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC78FHA34

## NTSB brief

```
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 FILE    DATE          LOCATION          AIRCRAFT DATA       INJURIES       FLIGHT                        PILOT DATA
                                                               F  S M/N     PURPOSE
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-2592  78/9/17    POTTSTOWN,PA        STEARMAN PT-17      CR-  0  0  1  NONCOMMERCIAL             PRIVATE, AGE 46, 423
        TIME - 0930                    N46Y                PX-  0  0  1  PLEASURE/PERSONAL TRANSP  TOTAL HOURS, 45 IN TYPE,
                                       DAMAGE-SUBSTANTIAL  OT-  0  0  0                            NOT INSTRUMENT RATED.
        NAME OF AIRPORT - POTTSTOWN-LMRK
        DEPARTURE POINT             INTENDED DESTINATION
          QUAKERTOWN,PA               POTTSTOWN,PA
        TYPE OF ACCIDENT                                         PHASE OF OPERATION
           GROUND-WATER LOOP-SWERVE                                 LANDING: ROLL
           GEAR COLLAPSED                                           LANDING: ROLL
        PROBABLE CAUSE(S)
           PILOT IN COMMAND - FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
        FACTOR(S)
           MISCELLANEOUS ACTS,CONDITIONS - OVERLOAD FAILURE
```

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N46Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N46Y), registered now, S/N 75-1377, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STEARMAN PT-17
- Registry model: [Boeing B75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75) (registry code 1380116) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming R680-4P-B4](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680-4p-b4) (registry code 41542, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Engines: reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Airport: Pottstown-Lmrk

## 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 19780917026889A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19780917026889A), Sep 17, 1978: Boeing B75, Pottstown, PA, Substantial damage

## Other investigations on N46Y (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 ERA23LA381](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA23LA381), Sep 19, 2023: Boeing B75 (N46Y), Erwinna, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain control of the airplane while taking off in a crosswind.

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.