# NTSB NYC87LA036: Boeing Stearman 75, N769WM, No.Andover, MA, November 22, 1986

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1986, 12:35 local (17:35 UTC)
- Place: No.Andover, MA
- Location: 42.7170° N, 71.1235° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at LAWRENCE MUNI (LWM), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.7170&lon=-71.1235&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Serious injuries
- Injuries: 1 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 30560
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC87LA036
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/30560/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC87LA036

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - in-flight planning/decision - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - judgment - poor, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - overconfidence in aircraft's ability, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - visual separation - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THREE BANNERS WERE LAID OUT FOR PICKUP BY TWO STEARMAN AIRCRAFT. ONE BANNER WAS AN EXTRA. THE TWO STEARMANS APPROACHED THE BANNER PICK UP POINT AS A FLIGHT OF TWO. AS THE FIRST AIRCRAFT MADE ITS PICKUP AN EXTRA BANNER BECAME TANGLED WITH THE DESIGNATED PICKUP BANNER AND TWO BANNERS WERE CARRIED INTO THE AIR. AS THE SECOND AIRCRAFT APPROACHED THE PICKUP POINT THE EXTRA BANNER FELL FREE, HOWEVER THE SECOND PILOT DID NOT SEE THE FREE FALLING BANNER DUE TO REDUCED FORWARD VISIBILITY CAUSED BY THE UPPER WING. AS THE SECOND AIRCRAFT MADE HER PICKUP AND STARTED HER INTIAL CLIMB, THE FREE FALLING BANNER MADE CONTACT WITH BOTH THE UPPER AND LOWER LEFT WING. THE PILOT STATED THE LEFT WING STALLED AND THE AIRCRAFT STALLED ON TO THE RUNWAY. THE AIRCRAFT RECEIVED SUBSTANTIAL DAMAGE AND THE UPPER WING FUEL TANK RUPTURED AND WAS LEAKING. THERE WAS NO FIRE. THE PILOT RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N769WM (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING STEARMAN 75
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-5129
- Airframe hours: 3220
- Engines: P&W R1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: National Aerial Advertising
- Registered owner: National Aerial Advertising
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Restricted (Special)
- Last inspection: Unknown, March 19, 1986
- Airport: LWM, Lawrence Municipal, runway 32, 3,901 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: center; flight hours: 1,111 total, 250 in this make and model, 1,000 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 30 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 300° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 40 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: LWM, 1 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 19861122086769A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19861122086769A), Nov 22, 1986: Boeing B75N1, Lawrence, MA, Substantial damage. The aircraft hit a falling aerial banner. The pilot was unable to keep the aircraft airborne with the fouled wing.

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.

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