# NTSB NYC89LA145: Boeing Stearman A75N1, N60812, Erwinna, PA, June 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 2, 1989, 16:00 local (20:00 UTC)
- Place: Erwinna, PA
- Coordinates: 40.490962, -75.080673 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=40.4910&lon=-75.0807&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report March 29, 1991
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36420
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC89LA145
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36420/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC89LA145

## Probable cause

LOSS CONTROL AND COLLISION WITH TREES DUE TO FAILURE OF THE STUDENT PILOT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE WIND AND LACK OF SUPERVISION BY THE CFI.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - not maintained, dual student (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - uncontrolled, dual student (cause)
  - supervision - inadequate, pilot in command(cfi) (cause)
- On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll
  - object - tree(s) (cause)

## Analysis

THE STEARMAN PT-17 HAD LANDED AND WAS SLOWING DOWN TO CLEAR THE RUNWAY WHEN A GUST OF WIND LIFTED THE RIGHT WING OFF THE GROUND. THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT ATTEMPTED TO GAIN CONTROL BY ADDING POWER AND LEFT BRAKE BUT THE AIRCRAFT WENT OFF THE RUNWAY TO THE LEFT AND DOWN AN INCLINE INTO TREES. THE STU PLT WAS NOT INJURED BUT THE UPPER WING TRAPPED THE INSTRUCTOR PILOT UNTIL HELP ARRIVED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N60812](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N60812), registered now, S/N 75-3783, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman 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: 75-3783
- Airframe hours: 2109
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W670-6A 220 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Lance Fenstermacher
- Registered owner: Beaver Hill Leasing
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 2, 1989, 28 hours before
- Departed: 9N1, ERWINNA, PA
- Airport: 9N1, Vansant, runway 25, 3,058 × 120 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 3,010 total, 1,850 in this make and model, 2,860 as pilot in command, 115 in the last 90 days, 48 in the last 30 days, 6 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19890602014419A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19890602014419A), Jun 2, 1989: Boeing A75N1, Erwinna, PA, Substantial damage. Wind lifted a wing on landing, lost control, left the runway down an embankment.

## Other investigations on N60812 (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 NYC02LA111](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC02LA111), Jun 2, 2002: Boeing Stearman A75N1 (N60812), Toughkenamon, PA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing, a factor was the gusting wind conditions.

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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