# NTSB WPR24LA015: Boeing A75N1(PT17), N4777V, Mesa, AZ, October 12, 2023

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report
- Date: October 12, 2023, 10:00 local (17:00 UTC)
- Place: Mesa, AZ
- Coordinates: 33.308655, -111.64969 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3087&lon=-111.6497&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: Approved by Office Director
- Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish
- NTSB office: Western Pacific Region
- Parties: FAA
- NTSB case key (mKey): 193256
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR24LA015
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193256/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR24LA015

## Probable cause

The flight instructor’s failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.

## 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(PT17), 27 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=1380134), [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 · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing A75N1(PT17), 33 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380134), [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 A75N1(PT17), 32 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=1380134), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md)

## Analysis

The flight instructor of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, while demonstrating a wheel landing during an instructional flight with a student in the rear seat, the nose swerved to the right upon lowering the tailwheel. The pilot corrected with left rudder input, but the airplane ground looped to the right, resulting in substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4777V](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4777V), registered now, S/N 75-5733 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BOEING A75N1(PT17)
- Registry model: [Boeing A75N1(PT17)](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-a75n1-pt17) (registry code 1380134) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 75-5733
- Year built: 1943
- Airframe hours: 2000
- Engines: Lycoming R-680 225 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: 100 hour, May 6, 2023
- Departed: KFFZ, Mesa, AZ
- Destination: Same as departure
- Airport: IWA, Phoenix-Mesa Gateway, runway 12L, 9,300 × 150 ft, concrete
- Equipment: ADS-B, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, Handheld GPS

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Flight instructor; age 73; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, waiver time limited special; last flight review August 11, 2022; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 2,000 in this make and model
- Student pilot; age 37; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 31, 2022; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 210 total, 9 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 45 °F
- Altimeter: 29.76 inHg
- Observed at: KIWA, 1 nm away
- METAR: KIWA 121650Z VRB03KT 10SM CLR 24/07 A2976=

## 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 20231012017069A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231012017069A), Oct 12, 2023: Boeing A75N1(PT17), Mesa, AZ, Substantial damage. The airman was giving tailwheel instruction in his stearman with a student in the rear seat. He was demonstrating a wheel landing when the accident occurred.…

## Other investigations on N4777V (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 WPR12CA427](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR12CA427), Sep 19, 2012: Boeing A75N1(PT17) (N4777V), Lincoln, CA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a ground loop.

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.

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