# NTSB SEA01LA140: Boeing E75N1, N65900, Spokane, WA, July 21, 2001 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2001, 15:47 local (22:47 UTC) - Place: Spokane, WA - Coordinates: 47.649536, -117.310516 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6495&lon=-117.3105&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 20, 2002 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: FAA - Spokane FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 52796 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA01LA140 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/52796/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA01LA140 ## Probable cause The pilot landed with insufficient formation spacing behind the lead aircraft, resulting in an encounter with the lead aircraft's wake turbulence, and subsequently lost directional control during landing roll. ## 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 - formation flying - incorrect, pilot in command (cause) - wake turbulence - encountered, pilot in command - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - Main gear collapsed, landing - roll - Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, landing - roll ## Analysis The pilot reported that he departed in a flight of two for the local flight at an antique biplane show, since his airplane did not have a radio and the airport's control tower was in operation at the time. The pilot stated that on the landing approach, the lead aircraft slowed to allow another aircraft to clear the runway, which decreased the spacing between the two aircraft in the formation. He reported that he was approximately 100 to 150 yards behind the lead aircraft at touchdown on 3,059-foot by 75-foot asphalt runway 21L, which he reported was dry at the time. The pilot reported that the touchdown was normal, "but after a couple hundred feet of ground roll I encountered the wake turbulence of the lead [aircraft]." The pilot stated that he became unable to maintain directional control in the lead aircraft's wake turbulence, with the aircraft "veering left [and] right". The pilot stated that on a veer to the left, the right landing gear failed, and that the right wing then contacted the ground. The pilot indicated on his NTSB accident report that no mechanical failure or malfunction was involved in the accident. The pilot reported winds at the time as being from 160 degrees at 9 knots, and the 1553 Felts Field METAR observation reported winds as variable at 5 knots. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2001, approximately 1547 Pacific daylight time, a Boeing E75N1 airplane, N65900, registered to and being flown by an airline transport pilot, was substantially damaged in a gear collapse and ground loop during landing on runway 21L during an antique biplane show at Felts Field, Spokane, Washington. The pilot and one passenger were not injured in the accident. Visual meteorological conditions, with variable winds at 5 knots, were reported at Felts Field at 1553, and no flight plan was filed for the 14 CFR 91 local personal flight from Felts Field. The pilot reported that he departed in a flight of two for the local flight, since his airplane did not have a radio and Felts Field's control tower was in operation at the time. The pilot stated that on the landing approach, the lead aircraft slowed to allow another aircraft to clear the runway, which decreased the spacing between the two aircraft in the formation. He reported that he was approximately 100 to 150 yards behind the lead aircraft at touchdown on the 3,059-foot by 75-foot asphalt runway, which he reported was dry at the time. The pilot reported that the touchdown was normal, "but after a couple hundred feet of ground roll I encountered the wake turbulence of the lead [aircraft]." The pilot stated that he became unable to maintain directional control in the lead aircraft's wake turbulence, with the aircraft "veering left [and] right". The pilot stated that on a veer to the left, the right landing gear failed, and that the right wing then contacted the ground. The pilot indicated on his NTSB accident report that no mechanical failure or malfunction was involved in the accident. The pilot reported winds at the time as being from 160 degrees at 9 knots, and the 1553 Felts Field METAR observation reported winds as variable at 5 knots. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N65900](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N65900), registered now, S/N 75-5986, built 1945 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing E75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing E75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-e75n1) (registry code 1380154) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-5986 - Airframe hours: 3021.1 - Engines: Lycoming R-680-B4E 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, October 3, 2000, 21.1 hours before - Departed: SFF, Spokane, WA - Airport: SFF, Felts Field, runway 21L, 3,059 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 53; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; last flight review May 9, 2001; seat: rear; flight hours: 23,366 total, 1,078 in this make and model, 18,152 as pilot in command, 103 in the last 90 days, 49 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: variable at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 73 °F, dew point 45 °F - Altimeter: 29.94 inHg - Observed at: SFF ## Other investigations on N65900 (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 UNK65X0360](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK65X0360), Oct 21, 1964: Boeing B75N1 (N65900), Homestead, FL, substantial damage 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.