# NTSB SEA07CA169: Boeing Stearman A75N1, N450SS, Coeur d'Alene, ID, June 8, 2007

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 8, 2007, 08:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: Coeur d'Alene, ID
- Coordinates: 47.77111, -116.818336
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.7711&lon=-116.8183&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 30, 2007
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Spokane Flight Standards Distict Office
- NTSB case key (mKey): 66011
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07CA169
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66011/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07CA169

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing.  The crosswind condition was a contributing factor.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

The pilot reported listening to the automated weather observation system (AWOS) two or three times before landing on runway 5.  The last time he checked, the AWOS reported winds from 140 degrees at 7 knots.  The pilot flew a straight-in approach and had landed "tail low" when "the wind got under my right wing."  The airplane touched down and started into a ground loop.  The pilot attempted to control the aircraft with the rudder, but "didn't have enough rudder control to stop it."  During the ground loop, the left wing impacted the ground, and the aircraft departed the runway surface.   The airplane came to rest, upright, in the grass alongside the runway.

## Factual narrative

The pilot reported listening to the automated weather observation system (AWOS) two or three times before landing on runway 5.  The last time he checked, the AWOS reported winds from 140 degrees at 7 knots.  The pilot flew a straight-in approach and had landed "tail low" when "the wind got under my right wing."  The airplane touched down and started into a ground loop.  The pilot attempted to control the aircraft with the rudder, but "didn't have enough rudder control to stop it."  During the ground loop, the left wing impacted the ground, and the aircraft departed the runway surface.   The airplane came to rest, upright, in the grass alongside the runway.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N450SS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N450SS), registered now, S/N 75-3937, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman A75N1
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1) (registry code 1380165) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-3937
- Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Steve Phillabaum
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 1, 2007
- Departed: SFF, SPOKANE, WA
- Destination: COE, Coeur d'Alene, ID
- Airport: KCOE, Coeur d'Alene, runway 5, 7,400 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 1, 2005; flight hours: 2,560 total, 200 in this make and model, 2,500 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 140° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none

## 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 20070608010399A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070608010399A), Jun 8, 2007: Boeing A75N1, Coeur D'Alene, ID, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 8, 2007 at 15:30 gmt the pilot [privacy data omitted] was acting as pilot in command of N450SS, a 1942 Boeing A75N1 sterman. After departing…

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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