# NTSB SEA07LA213: Boeing A-75, N56551, Spokane, WA, July 21, 2007 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: July 21, 2007, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC) - Place: Spokane, WA - Coordinates: 47.683887, -117.320831 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.6839&lon=-117.3208&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 31, 2008 - Report: Approved by Office Director - Parties: Spokane FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 66288 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA07LA213 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/66288/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA07LA213 ## Probable cause The locking/seizing of a main landing gear brake mechanism during the landing roll. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll - landing gear,normal brake system - locked (cause) - Nose over, landing - roll - terrain condition - runway ## Analysis Soon after touching down on the main landing gear, the airplane's left brake locked up, and the airplane began to veer toward the edge of the runway. During the pilot's attempts to keep the airplane rolling straight, both bottom wings came in contact with the runway surface, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane's left tire had created a significant skid mark starting just past where the airplane touched down. There was no evidence of skidding of the right main landing gear tire. The investigation did not reveal any reason for the malfunction of the left brake, but the skid mark on the runway indicated that the brake mechanism had malfunctioned or locked up while the airplane was in the air, or during the touchdown sequence. ## Factual narrative On July 21, 2007, approximately 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Boeing Stearman A-75, N56551, nosed over during the landing roll at Felts Field, Spokane, Washington. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the airplane, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight originated at the same airport about 10 minutes prior to the accident. The flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, soon after touching down on the main gear, the left brake locked up, and the airplane began to veer toward the edge of the runway. During his attempts to keep the airplane rolling straight, both bottom wings came in contact with the runway surface, and before he could get it stopped, it flipped over onto its back. According to the FAA Inspector who responded to the scene, the airplane's left tire had created a significant skid mark starting at a point just past where the airplane touched down. There was no evidence of skidding of the right main gear tire. The FAA inspector's post-accident inspection of the airplane did not reveal any clear reason for the malfunction of the left brake. In a telephone conversation with the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge (IIC), the inspector said that it was his opinion that the brake mechanism had malfunctioned/locked either while the airplane was in the air, or during the touchdown sequence. During a telephone conversation, the pilot gave the NTSB IIC a detailed description of the accident sequence, but he failed to submit an NTSB Form 6120.1/2. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56551](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56551), registered now, S/N 75-3926 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Boeing A-75 - Registry model: [Boeing A75](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75) (registry code 1380108) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-3926 - Engines: Continental R670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Peter L. Blood - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Departed: KSFF, Spokane, WA - Destination: KSFF - Airport: KSFF, Felts Field, runway 21L, 3,059 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 33; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; seat: rear; flight hours: 100 total ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 240° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,000 ft broken - Temperature: 81 °F - Altimeter: 29.95 inHg ## 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 20070721012939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20070721012939A), Jul 21, 2007: Boeing A75, Spokane, WA, Substantial damage. (-23) During landing rollout, pilot claims brakes grabbed/locked and aircraft nosed over onto its back. No injuries, no fire. (-23 amendment) the pilot stated… ## Other investigations on N56551 (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 LAX67D0057](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX67D0057), Jul 27, 1966: Stearman A75 (N56551), Dateland, AZ, substantial damage - [NTSB UNK64X3438](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/UNK64X3438), Aug 17, 1964: Boeing PT17 (N56551), Coolidge, AZ, 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.