CircumFlightN56949 Stearman A75N1(PT17) accident
NTSB GAA19CA009 · 2018-10-06 · New Orleans, LA · near NEW
Docket — crew, injuries and powerplant
Summary
The pilot reported that, while landing in a crosswind, the tailwheel-equipped biplane was "thrusted downward violently" and landed hard. He added that the biplane then veered right off the runway. He then attempted a go-around, but after applying power, realized the need for full left aileron to maintain heading. He decided to abort the go-around and reduced power to land. During the landing, he used brakes to avoid airport signs in the landing path, the right main tire "got some traction," and the biplane ground looped to the right. The biplane sustained substantial damage to both lower wings and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was from 110° at 15 knots and that terrain-induced moderate turbulence existed. The automated weather observation system at the airport reported the following about the time of the accident: temperature 88°F, dew point 75°F, visibility 10 miles, wind from 110° at 11 knots, and a broken layer of clouds at 2,800 ft. The pilot was landing the biplane on runway 18L.
Full narrative
The pilot reported that, while landing in a crosswind, the tailwheel-equipped biplane was "thrusted downward violently" and landed hard. He added that the biplane then veered right off of the runway, he attempted a go around, but after applying power realized the need for full left aileron to maintain heading. He decided to abort the go around and reduced power to land. During the landing he used brakes to avoid airport signs in the landing path, the right main tire "got some traction", and the biplane ground loop to the right.
The biplane sustained substantial damage to both lower wings and elevator.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The pilot reported that the temperature was 80°F, visibility 10 miles in light rain showers, the wind was 110° at 15 knots, and a scattered cloud layer 2,200 feet. He further reported terrain-induced moderate turbulence.
The automated weather observation system at the accident airport reported that, about the time of the accident, the temperature was 88°F, dew point 75°F, visibility was 10 miles, the wind was from 110° at 11 knots, and a broken layer of clouds at 2,800 feet. The pilot was landing on runway 18L.
Probable cause
The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing. The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this accident.
Circumstances
- Event type
- Accident
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather conditions
- Visual Meteorological Cond
- Light condition
- Day
- Sky condition
- BKN
- Ceiling (ft)
- 2800
- Visibility (sm)
- 10
- Wind direction
- 110
- Wind speed (kt)
- 11
- Temperature (F)
- 88
- Nearest airport
- LAKEFRONT
- Distance from field
- 0.0
- Airport elevation
- 7
Aircraft
| Registration | Make | Model | Damage | FAR part |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N56949 | Stearman | A75N1(PT17) | SUBS | 091 |
Sequence of events
| # | Occurrence | Phase |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landing Other weather encounter | Cruise |
| 2 | Landing Hard landing | Cruise |
| 3 | Landing Loss of control on ground defining | Cruise |
| 4 | Approach-VFR go-around Attempted remediation/recovery | Cruise |
| 5 | Landing Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) | Cruise |