# NTSB NYC90LA021: Boeing B75N, N68972, Willimantic, ME, October 28, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 28, 1989, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC)
- Place: Willimantic, ME
- Location: 45.3067° N, 69.4084° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Willimantic, ME, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3067&lon=-69.4084&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Enroute](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/400) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 2 minor
- Status: Completed, report January 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 36578
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=NYC90LA021
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/36578/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC90LA021

## Probable cause

AN INADVERTENT STALL CLEARING TREES DURING A FORCED LANDING FOLLOWING A POWER LOSS DUE TO A FUEL LINE SEPARATING FROM THE CARBURETOR AND FUEL STARVATION.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, cruise
  - fuel system,line fitting - cracked (cause)
  - fuel system,line fitting - separation (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
- Forced landing, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - terrain condition - high obstruction(s) (contributing factor)
  - maneuver - intentional, pilot in command (cause)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)

## Analysis

THE BOEING MODEL 75 STEARMAN WAS ON A LOCAL FLIGHT APPROXIMATELY ONE MILE FROM THE AIRPORT WHEN A POWER LOSS OCCURRED. THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO RETURN TO THE AIRPORT FOR A DOWNWIND LANDING, HOWEVER HE WAS TOO HIGH. HE ENTERED AN INADVERTENT STALL CLEARING TREES WHILE DOING A SERIES OF TURNS AND SLIPS TO LOSE ALTITUDE FOR A LANDING. POST CRASH EXAMINATION OF THE AIRCRAFT SHOWED THAT A BRASS FITTING FOR THE FUEL LINE INTO THE CARBURETOR WAS CRACKED AND HAD SEPARATED.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N68972](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N68972), registered now, S/N 75-5066 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING B75N
- Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-5066
- Airframe hours: 68
- Engines: CONTINENTAL W670-6A 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Herman Bayerdorffer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic
- Departed: ME79, WILLIMANTIC, ME
- Airport: ME79, Two Falls, runway 13, 1,700 × 45 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,716 total, 11 in this make and model, 2,636 as pilot in command, 29 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 320° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Temperature: 70 °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 19891028045039A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891028045039A), Oct 28, 1989: Boeing B75N1, Willimantic, ME, Substantial damage. Loud bang and engine quit on approach to airport. Stalled maneuvering to shorten glide. Carb fuel fitting separated

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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