# NTSB SEA99LA065: Boeing Stearman 1B75A, N56208, Olympia, WA, April 30, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 30, 1999, 16:00 local (23:00 UTC)
- Place: Olympia, WA
- Coordinates: 46.970962, -122.870155 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=46.9710&lon=-122.8702&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 23, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46445
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA99LA065
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46445/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA99LA065

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for wind conditions.  A factor contributing to the accident was a crosswind during the landing roll out.

## 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)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

While on landing rollout, in a crosswind situation, the aircraft swerved to the right and became uncontrollable.  The aircraft ground looped, causing damage to the left wing and aileron.  At the time of the accident, the pilot reported the winds from 230 degrees at 10 to 12 knots.  There was no report of mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident.

## Factual narrative

On April 30, 1999, about 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Boeing Stearman, N56208, registered to and operated by the pilot, was substantially damaged while landing at Olympia Airport, Olympia, Washington.  The aircraft was being operated as a 14CFR91 personal flight.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed.  The aircraft's last departure point was Chehalis, Washington, approximately 15 minutes prior to the accident.  The private pilot and his passenger were not injured.

The pilot stated that while on the landing rollout, on runway 17, the aircraft "swerved to the right" and became uncontrollable.  The aircraft ground looped, causing damage to the left wing and aileron.  At the time of the accident, the pilot reported the winds from 230 degrees at 10 to 12 knots.

The pilot reported no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft at the time of the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56208](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56208-2021-08-17), registration cancelled 2021-08-17, S/N 75-2443, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Boeing Stearman 1B75A
- Registry model: [Boeing IB75A](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-ib75a) (registry code 1380152) (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: 75-2443
- Airframe hours: 1200
- Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: John C. Dimmer
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Departed: CLS, CHEHALIS, WA
- Destination: OLM
- Airport: OLM, Olympia Airport, runway 17, 5,419 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 71; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: rear; flight hours: 1,050 total, 750 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 230° at 10 knots, gusting 12
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 50 °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 19990430005609A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990430005609A), Apr 30, 1999: Olympia, WA, Substantial damage. Acft ground looped on landing and sustained substantial damage. (-23) pilot was landing on runway 17 at the Olympia Airport. The wind was a right crosswind,…

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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