# NTSB WPR12CA372: Boeing B75N1, N47964, Mesa, AZ, August 18, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 18, 2012, 06:39 local (13:39 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.460834, -111.728332 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4608&lon=-111.7283&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 26, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84822 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR12CA372 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84822/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84822 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA372 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a crosswind. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 12 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 8 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane. The pilot said that during the landing roll the airplane veered left. He applied corrective control inputs in an effort to realign the airplane with the runway; however, the airplane continued left and exited the runway surface. During the accident sequence, the airplane’s right wing contacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard section of the lower wing. The pilot reported that he was landing with a left quartering crosswind and that the airplane sustained no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice landings in the tailwheel equipped airplane. The pilot said that during the landing roll the airplane veered left. He applied corrective control inputs in an effort to realign the airplane with the runway; however, the airplane continued left and exited the runway surface. During the accident sequence, the airplane’s right wing contacted the ground, which resulted in substantial damage to the outboard section of the lower wing. The weather reported by the pilot on the NTSB accident report form revealed he was landing with a left quartering crosswind condition. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N47964](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N47964), registered now, S/N 75-7540, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING B75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670-6N](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-6n) (registry code 17318, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-7540 - Airframe hours: 3627 - Engines: Continental W670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum - Registered owner: American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, April 6, 2012, 35 hours before - Departed: KFFZ, Mesa, AZ - Destination: KFFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: KFFZ, Falcon Field, runway 22R, 3,799 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 61; injuries: none; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 7, 2012; seat: rear; flight hours: 793 total, 31 in this make and model, 735 as pilot in command, 15 in the last 90 days, 5 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 160° at 8 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 20120818021349A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120818021349A), Aug 18, 2012: Boeing B75N1, Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. On August 18, 2012 at approximate 0639 hours PDT, Boeing model B75N1 (stearman) N47964 ground looped after landing and came to rest in the center infield of… ## Other investigations on N47964 (3) 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 WPR13CA162](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA162), Mar 19, 2013: Boeing B75N1 (N47964), Mesa, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. - [NTSB CHI01LA321](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI01LA321), Sep 23, 2001: Boeing Stearman B75N1 (N47964), Carbondale, IL, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot misjudged the proper alignment with the landing area. Contributing to the accident was the light conditions. - [NTSB IAD80FIA01](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/IAD80FIA01), Oct 28, 1979: Boeing E75 (N47964), Bealton, VA, substantial damage ## Docket (1 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 20, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84822. 143 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 143 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40377101&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF 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.