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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

NTSB Reports is an independent research and search tool for public aviation accident and incident records. It brings NTSB aviation reports, structured fields, docket files, extracted figures, photos, videos, and update history into one searchable interface.

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September 9, 2001 · Boeing A75N1 (PT17) · N1259V

Watkins, CO

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
September 9, 2001
Injury Outcomes
1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Location
Watkins, CO
Aircraft
Boeing A75N1 (PT17)
Tail Number
N1259V
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
DEN01LA159

The pilot landed the airplane on runway 14. He stated that "just after touching down, a strong gust of wind caused the Stearman to start to drift." He added full power to abort the landing. The airplane touched down several times on open land as it attempted to get airborne. The pilot then saw power poles and lines and realized he would be unable to climb over them. He lowered the nose and attempted to fly under the lines. The left wing was torn off when it struck a pole guy wire, and the airplane came to a halt resting on its nose. Recorded winds 6 miles north of the accident site were from 210 degrees at 8 knots. Witnesses said the wind was calm.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's failure to maintain clearance with the guy wire.

Full Narrative

On September 9, 2001, approximately 1045 mountain daylight time, a Boeing A75N1 (PT17), N1259V, was substantially damaged when it struck power lines and impacted terrain during a go-around at Aurora Airpark, Watkins, Colorado. The airline transport certificated pilot was not injured, but his passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan had been filed for the local area sightseeing flight being conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91. The flight departed Aurora Airpark approximately 0945. According to the pilot's accident report, he "set up for a normal landing on runway 14. Just after touching down, on the mains in a tail low attitude, a strong gust of wind caused the Stearman to start to drift." He added full power to abort the landing. The airplane touched down several times on open land as the pilot attempted to get airborne. "Even with full power, the aircraft would not climb or accelerate but stayed essentially in ground effect," the pilot said. The pilot then saw power poles and lines and realized he would be unable to climb over them. He lowered the nose and attempted to fly under the lines. The left wing was torn off when it struck a guy wire for a pole, and the airplane came to a halt resting on its nose. The passenger's family submitted a written statement and photographs they took at the accident site. According to their statement, "there was not a cloud in the sky and there wasn't even a breeze." They indicated they saw the airplane drift to the left of the runway, accelerate, and proceed east for "1/2 mile to 1 mile attempting to go back up," but it never gained altitude. They observed the airplane fly under the power line and contact the guy wire, "which ripped the wing off and the airplane basically did a complete cartwheel and crashed ending up almost completely upside down." At 1053, the recorded winds at Denver International Airport, 6 miles north of the accident site, were from 210 degrees at 8 knots.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time10:45 MDT
Nearest AirportAurora Airpark (0nm)
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing A75N1 (PT17)
Tail NumberN1259V
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · R-680-9 · Reciprocating · 300
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary1 injury (1 minor injury), 1 uninjured
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor1
Uninjured1
Total2
Crew 1Age 54 · Second Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind210° @ 8 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingNone
Temperature / Dew Point59 / 32 C
Altimeter30.19 inHg
Observation Time16:53
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data