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NTSB Report

September 3, 1993 · Boeing Stearman A75N1 · N55501

Delevan, WI

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 3, 1993
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Delevan, WI
Aircraft
Boeing Stearman A75N1
Tail Number
N55501
Operator
Jay Brost
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
CHI93LA349

THE VINTAGE TAILWHEEL AIRPLANE TOUCHED DOWN ON RUNWAY 36 WITH A CROSSWIND. ACCORDING TO THE FRONT SEAT PILOT/PASSENGER, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO WEATHER VANE AS THE TAILWHEEL TOUCHED DOWN AT WHICH TIME THE REAR SEAT PILOT MADE HARD RUDDER AND BRAKE INPUTS. THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER, DAMAGING THE VERTICAL STABILIZER AND RUDDER AND THE TOP WING'S UPPER SURFACE.

NTSB Probable Cause

the excessive use of brakes and rudder by the pilot-in-command. A factor related to the accident was the pilot-in-command's lack of total experience in this type of aircraft.

Full Narrative

On September 3, 1993, at 1330 central daylight time (CDT), a Boeing/Stearman A75N1, N55501, registered to Jay Brost of Fontana, Wisconsin, and piloted by a private pilot, was substantially damaged when it nosed over during a landing roll following touchdown onto Runway 36 (4,400 x 75' dry asphalt) at the Lake Lawn Airport, Delevan, Wisconsin. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was not operating under a flight plan. The flight originated from Harvard, Illinois, at 1300 CDT. Written statements on the NTSB Form 6120.1/2 submitted by both pilots state that the airplane had encountered a crosswind requiring rudder application. The pilot-in-command, in the rear seat, applied brake application "...excessively...", or "...hard...", instead of rudder control according to the front seat pilot/passenger. The pilot/passenger stated that airplane began to weather vane as the tailwheel was lowering, and that the "...PIC acted with hard rudder/brake which caused a/c to go over (on) its nose." The on-scene investigation was conducted by a Federal Aviation Administration Principal Operations Inspector (POI). The POI stated the vertical stabilizer and rudder were crushed downward, and that the top wing of the airplane had rib and covering damage on its upper surface.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:30 CDT
Nearest AirportLAKELAWN (0nm)
Runway36
Runway Length4400 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing Stearman A75N1
Tail NumberN55501
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorJay Brost
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · R-670 · Reciprocating · 220
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 57 · Third Class

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind340° @ 10 kt
Visibility12 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4700 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C / 0 C
Altimeter29.00 inHg
Observation Time18:45
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data