# NTSB WPR13CA162: Boeing B75N1, N47964, Mesa, AZ, March 19, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: March 19, 2013, 12:48 local (19:48 UTC) - Place: Mesa, AZ - Coordinates: 33.45639, -111.723609 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.4564&lon=-111.7236&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: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report July 18, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 86502 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA162 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/86502/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86502 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA162 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [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) - [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) ## 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 as the tailwheel-equipped airplane decelerated after touchdown, it tracked left of the runway centerline. He applied corrective control inputs; however, the airplane continued to track left and departed the runway. The right wing contacted the ground and was substantially damaged during the runway excursion. The pilot reported that during the recently completed 100-hour annual inspection, the tailwheel suspension strut was modified with a different type of strut and that the new strut did not compress on landing until after right rudder was applied. However, review of the tailwheel strut design revealed that the strut only affects the vertical movement of the tailwheel, and has no lateral control effects. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that after touchdown, the tail wheel equipped airplane tracked left of runway center as it decelerated. He applied corrective actions; however, the airplane continued to track left and subsequently departed the runway edge. The right wing made contact with the ground during the runway excursion, and was substantially damaged. The pilot reported that the tail wheel strut did not compress on landing until after right rudder was applied. During the recently completed 100-hour annual inspection the tail wheel suspension strut was modified to incorporate a cylinder/oil type strut. A review of the tail wheel strut revealed that the strut only affects the vertical movement of the tail wheel, and has no lateral control effects. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed no evidence of a mechanical failure or malfunction 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: 3683 - Engines: Continental W670-6N 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Operator: Arizona Wing Commemorative Air Force - Registered owner: American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, February 18, 2013, 1 hours before - Departed: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Destination: FFZ, Mesa, AZ - Airport: FFZ, Falcon Field Airport, runway 22L, 5,101 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 54; injuries: none; commercial, airline transport, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 26, 2012; seat: rear; flight hours: 11,688 total, 9 in this make and model, 5,599 as pilot in command, 33 in the last 90 days, 21 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 180° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.87 inHg - Observed at: FFZ ## 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 WPR12CA372](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA372), Aug 18, 2012: Boeing B75N1 (N47964), Mesa, AZ, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control while landing in a crosswind. - [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 (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on May 7, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=86502. 1.7 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390853&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Statement of Previous Owner (item 2, .PDF, 33 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40390854&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Statement%20of%20Previous%20Owner-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.