# NTSB SEA95LA121: Boeing A75N1, N1967M, Helena, MT, June 18, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: June 18, 1995, 15:45 local (21:45 UTC)
- Place: Helena, MT
- Coordinates: 46.529438, -112.209808 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.5294&lon=-112.2098&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report January 19, 1996
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42167
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA121
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42167/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA121

## Probable cause

THE PILOTS FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. CONTRIBUTING TO THE ACCIDENT WAS THE CROSSWIND.

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

## Analysis

THE ATP-RATED PILOT-IN-COMMAND WAS PROVIDING A CHECKOUT TO THE OWNER/PRIVATE PILOT. DURING A TOUCH-AND-GO WITH THE OWNER AT THE CONTROLS, THE AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN LEFT GEAR FIRST IN A CROSSWIND, THEN VEERED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT. THE PIC TOOK THE CONTROLS, AND BOTH PILOTS ATTEMPTED CORRECTIVE ACTION. THE AIRPLANE CONTINUED VEERING LEFT AS THE TAILWHEEL LOCK DISENGAGED. THE LOWER RIGHT WING PANEL IMPACTED THE RUNWAY DURING THE ENSUING GROUNDLOOP.

## Factual narrative

On June 18, 1995, about 1545 mountain daylight time, N1967M, a Boeing A75N1 Stearman, operated by the owner/pilot, groundlooped on landing and was substantially damaged in Helena, Montana.  The airline transport pilot and the private pilot were not injured.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed.  The local flight was conducted under 14 CFR 91.

According to an FAA aviation safety inspector from Helena, and statements provided by both pilots, the owner of the airplane (a rated private pilot) was receiving a flight familiarization by the airline transport pilot.  The airline transport pilot was not instructor rated.  The pilots were conducting touch-and-go landings on runway 27 at the Helena Regional Airport.  The airline transport pilot stated that the aircraft, with the private pilot at the controls, flared and touched down left gear first in a crosswind, then veered sharply to the left.

According to the airline transport pilot:  "Realizing the owner was not correcting quickly and appropriately enough, I took full control, applied full right aileron and right rudder with maximum available braking."  The aircraft continued veering left as the tailwheel lock disengaged.  The lower right wing and aileron then contacted the runway.  No preimpact mechanical malfunctions were reported, and gusting wind conditions prevailed.  The private pilot stated that both pilots applied opposite aileron and brake at the time of the groundloop.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N1967M (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-440
- Engines: LYCOMING R-680-13 300 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Registered owner: James G. Valeo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Airport: HLN, Helena Regional Airport, runway 27, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 40; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,800 total, 790 in this make and model, 2,550 as pilot in command, 65 in the last 90 days, 35 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 100° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HLN

## 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 19950618040279A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19950618040279A), Jun 18, 1995: Boeing A75N1, Helena, MT, Substantial damage. Student lost control landing in crosswind. Ground looped. PIC failed timely act to correct situation. Not a CFI.

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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