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October 15, 1994 · Boeing Stearman PT-17 · N4923N

Fitchburg, MA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 15, 1994
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Fitchburg, MA
Aircraft
Boeing Stearman PT-17
Tail Number
N4923N
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC95LA010

A CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR (CFI), AND THE 26 HOUR STUDENT PILOT/OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE, DEPARTED IN THE AIRPLANE FOR A LOCAL TRAINING FLIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE CFI, 'DURING THE LANDING, TOUCH DOWN WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE THOUSAND FEET FROM THE APPROACH END OF RUNWAY 32. A SUDDEN GUST OF WIND CAME FROM THE RIGHT; I APPLIED HARD LEFT RUDDER AND BRAKE WITH NO EFFECT, DURING THIS TIME THE LEFT WING TIP STRUCK THE PAVEMENT. THE PLANE LEFT THE RUNWAY ONTO THE TURF; THERE, WITH THE LEFT BRAKE LOCKED, THE LOOP HALTED, BUT THE NOSE SLOWLY TIPPED DOWN.' THE CFI REPORTED 'THE ENTIRE INCIDENT TOOK PLACE AT SLOW SPEED, APPARENTLY TOO SLOW FOR THE FLIGHT CONTROL TO HAVE ANY COUNTERING EFFECT.'

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind condition during landing, which resulted in a ground loop and the subsequent wing tip collision with the runway.

Full Narrative

On October 15, 1994, at 1155 eastern daylight time, a Boeing Stearman PT-17, N4923N, owned by Joseph E. Innamorati and piloted by Richard F. Cable, a certified flight instructor (CFI), was substantially damaged during a ground loop at the Fitchburg Municipal Airport (FIT), Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The flight instructor and student pilot were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed for the flight operating under 14 CFR 91. The 74 year old CFI was giving flight instruction in N4923N, to the owner and non-rated 69 year old student pilot, Mr. Joseph Innamorati. In the NTSB Form 6120.1/2, the CFI stated that he and the owner departed the Sterling Airport, Sterling Massachusetts for a local flight. During the flight they decided to practice takeoff and landings at FIT, and the CFI made the first approach. The CFI further stated: "...During the first landing, touch down was approximately one thousand feet from the approach end of runway 32. A sudden gust of wind came from the right; I applied hard left rudder and brake with no effect, during this time the left wing tip struck the pavement. The plane left the runway onto the turf; there with the left brake locked, the loop halted, but the nose slowly tipped down..." The CFI had accumulated approximately 19,500 hours of flight experience, with about 250 hours in make and model. The winds at an airport nearby were reported to be from 060 degrees at 10 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time11:55 EDT
Nearest AirportFitchburg Municipal (0nm)
Runway32
Runway Length4511 ft
Runway Width100 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing Stearman PT-17
Tail NumberN4923N
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · W670-6A · Reciprocating · 220
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 75 · First Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind60° @ 10 kt
Visibility40 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point48 / 27 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time16:50
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data