# NTSB WPR13CA327: Stearman C3-B, N6101H, Everett, WA, July 12, 2013 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 12, 2013, 12:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Everett, WA - Coordinates: 47.906944, -122.281387 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=47.9069&lon=-122.2814&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 December 19, 2013 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 87479 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR13CA327 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/87479/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87479 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR13CA327 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a ground loop. ## 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: [Stearman C3-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=8560202), [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: [Stearman C3-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=8560202), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Enroute-cruise: Loss of engine power (partial)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342); cases with it: [Stearman C3-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md?model=8560202), [All aircraft, 1,858 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/342/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Stearman C3-B, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=8560202), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while en route, the airplane's engine began to make an abnormal noise and was running rough. He opted to make a precautionary landing at a nearby airport. The touchdown for the wheel-landing was normal and as the tailwheel settled onto the runway surface, the pilot held aft pressure on the control stick. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left and, despite the pilot's efforts to regain directional control with right rudder application, the airplane ground looped. The right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane incurred substantial damage to the interconnect strut. The pilot initially reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, aside from the rough running engine. Later he submitted a statement that indicated he thought there was a possible failure of the landing gear. A postaccident examination of the landing gear revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot reported that while en route, the airplane's engine began to make an abnormal noise and was running rough. He opted to make a precautionary landing at a nearby airport. The touchdown for the wheel-landing was normal and as the tailwheel settled onto the runway surface, the pilot held aft pressure on the control stick. During the landing roll, the airplane veered to the left and, despite the pilot's efforts to regain directional control with right rudder application, the airplane ground looped. The right main landing gear collapsed and the airplane incurred substantial damage to the interconnect strut. The pilot initially reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation, aside from the rough running engine. Later he submitted a statement that indicated he thought there was a possible failure of the landing gear. A postaccident examination of the landing gear revealed no evidence of mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N6101H](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N6101H-2018-02-02), registration cancelled 2018-02-02, S/N 135, built 1928 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: STEARMAN AIRCRAFT C3-B - Registry model: [Stearman C3-B](https://openairdocs.org/model/stearman-c3-b) (registry code 8560202) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Wright J-5](https://openairdocs.org/engine/wright-j-5) (registry code 67000, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 135 - Engines: WRIGHT J-5 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 13, 2013 - Departed: EPH, Ephrata, WA - Destination: AWO, Arlington, WA - Airport: PAE, Snohomish County - Paine Field, runway 34L, 9,010 × 150 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine sea, single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review June 18, 2013; seat: rear; flight hours: 2,440 total, 10 in this make and model, 2,200 as pilot in command ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - 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 20130712013319A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20130712013319A), Jul 12, 2013: Stearman Aircraft C3-B, Everett, WA, Minor damage. On July 12, 2013 at 12:53 pilot #2819390 was enroute from sandpoint, id to arlington,with intermediate stop in ephrata, WA for fuel, oil and to grease the… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on December 9, 2013, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=87479. 307 KB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 223 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404749&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversations: Pilot, FAA, Airport Manager, Owner (item 2, .PDF, 84 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40404750&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversations%3A%20Pilot,%20FAA,%20Airport%20Manager,%20Owner-Master.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.