# NTSB WPR20CA073: Stearman B75N1, N14GC, Vacaville, CA, January 22, 2020 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: January 22, 2020, 14:10 local (22:10 UTC) - Place: Vacaville, CA - Coordinates: 38.373611, -121.956665 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.3736&lon=-121.9567&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: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report July 27, 2020 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 100850 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR20CA073 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100850/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100850 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR20CA073 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose-over when the right wheel encountered mud. ## 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) - [Terrain: wet/muddy terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/cases.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 110 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021035/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: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [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: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/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) - [Landing-landing roll: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [Boeing B75N1, 10 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=1380144), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while practicing stop-and-go landings, the airplane took off, and he then made a standard traffic pattern to land. The airplane touched down on the numbers with both main wheels. When the tailwheel touched down, the pilot felt a wind gust from the east, which tipped the left wing down. He attempted to correct with right aileron, but when the wings became level, the right wheel exited the runway surface and sank into mud. The airplane nosed over, which resulted in substantial damage to the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The private pilot reported that the purpose of the flight was to practice stop-and-go landings. The airplane took off and made a standard traffic pattern to land. The airplane touched down on the numbers with both main wheels. When the tailwheel touched down, the pilot felt a gust of wind from the east which tipped the left wing down. He attempted to correct with right aileron, but when the wings became level the right wheel exited the runway surface and sunk into the mud. The airplane nosed over substantially damaging the rudder. The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N14GC](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N14GC), registered now, S/N 75-6503, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Stearman B75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing B75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-b75n1) (registry code 1380144) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming R680](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-r680) (registry code 41540, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-6503 - Year built: 1942 - Engines: Lycoming R-680 225 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Aerobatic - Last inspection: Annual, February 8, 2019, 14 hours before - Departed: VCB, Vacaville, CA - Destination: VCB, Vacaville, CA - Airport: VCB, Nut Tree Airport, runway 02, 4,700 × 75 ft, asphalt - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 32; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review December 26, 2019; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 214 total, 39 in this make and model, 112 as pilot in command, 11 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.25 inHg - Observed at: VCB ## 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 20200122007619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20200122007619A), Jan 22, 2020: Boeing B75N1, Vacaville, CA, Substantial damage. Aircraft left runway after touchdown and flipped upside down when main landing gear wheels stuck in the mud. ## Other investigations on N14GC (1) 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 WPR25LA258](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR25LA258), Aug 19, 2025: Boeing B75N1 (N14GC), Vacaville, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll with a quartering tailwind. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on February 7, 2020, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100850. 4.0 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480568&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - On Scene Photos of the Airplane (item 2, .PDF, 600 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40480569&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=On%20Scene%20Photos%20of%20the%20Airplane-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.