# NTSB NYC88LA221: Boeing A75N1, N7772J, Wellsville, PA, August 18, 1988

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 18, 1988, 19:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Wellsville, PA
- Coordinates: 40.050109, -76.939697 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.0501&lon=-76.9397&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 4, 1990
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36215
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC88LA221
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36215/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC88LA221

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - light condition - sunglare (contributing factor)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ditch

## Analysis

A PRIVATE PLT ON A LOCAL FLIGHT MADE A STOPOVER LANDING ON RUNWAY 28. THE PLT REPORTED THAT DURING THE LANDING FLARE, HE WAS TEMPORARILY BLINDED BY THE SETTING SUN DIRECTLY IN THE FLIGHT PATH. AT TOUCHDOWN THE AIRPLANE WEATHERVANED INTO THE RIGHT CROSSWIND, THE PLT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL AND THE ACFT GROUND LOOPED TO THE RIGHT. THE PLANE ROLLED INTO A DITCH.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N7772J](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N7772J), registered now, S/N 75-8175, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING 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: 75-8175
- Airframe hours: 3558
- Engines: CONTINENTAL R-670 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Robert Lewis
- Registered owner: Robert P Lewis
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, July 20, 1988, 1 hours before
- Departed: PN90, ROULETTE, PA
- Destination: PN90
- Airport: ELZ, Wellsville, runway 28, 4,900 × 75 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 1,600 as pilot in command, 43 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 360° at 15 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F

## Other investigations on N7772J (2)

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 ERA15CA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA15CA162), Mar 12, 2015: Boeing A75N1(PT17) (N7772J), St Marys, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a gusty crosswind, which resulted in a runway excursion and a nose over.
- [NTSB NYC90LA194](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA194), Aug 15, 1990: Boeing A75 (N7772J), Burdett, NY, destroyed. Probable cause: THE PILOT DID NOT PROPERLY COMPENSATE FOR THE CROSS WIND AND FAILED TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING TAKEOFF.

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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