# NTSB WPR23LA284: Boeing A75N1, N53132, Red Lodge, MT, July 22, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 22, 2023, 10:00 local (16:00 UTC) - Place: Red Lodge, MT · KRED - Coordinates: 45.184833, -109.25771 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.1848&lon=-109.2577&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 192717 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA284 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192717/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192717 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA284 ## Probable cause The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing with wind gusts, which resulted in a ground loop and collision with a fence. ## 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 A75N1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1380165), [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; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380165), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: fence/fence post](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md?model=1380165), [All aircraft, 313 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022047/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Ability to respond/compensate; cases with it: [Boeing A75N1, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=1380165), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380165), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that, while landing a tailwheel airplane, a gust of wind pushed the tail to the right. The pilot attempted to correct with rudder and differential braking; however, the airplane ground looped to the left and veered off the left side of the runway impacting a fence and substantially damaging the left wings. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53132](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53132), registered now, S/N 75-2923, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1 - Registry model: [Boeing A75N1](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1) (registry code 1380165) (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: 75-2923 - Year built: 1942 - Airframe hours: 2693.4 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, November 19, 2022 - Departed: KRED, Red Lodge, MT - Destination: Same as departure - Airport: RED, Red Lodge, runway 16, 4,000 × 75 ft, grass/turf - Equipment: None ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 57; injuries: none; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review November 30, 2022; seat: rear; flight hours: 19,200 total, 105 in this make and model, 8,195 as pilot in command, 201 in the last 90 days, 33 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 230° at 5 knots, gusting 10 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.18 inHg - Observed at: KPOY, 27 nm away - METAR: KPOY 221635Z AUTO 12010KT 10SM CLR 27/02 A3018 RMK AO2 ## 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 20230722012839A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230722012839A), Jul 22, 2023: Boeing A75N1, Red Lodge, MT, Substantial damage. Description of the deviation: While operating a stearman airplane on a VFR flight plan and upon landing on the grass strip rwy 16 at the Red Lodge, MT airport… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192717. 1.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 771 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16264794&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120%20N53132%20Red%20Lodge_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 996 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16173750&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20WPR23LA284-Rel.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.