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Aviation safety reports, made easier to study

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November 11, 2002 · Boeing Stearman A75 · N62897

Glade Spring, VA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
November 11, 2002
Injury Outcomes
2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Location
Glade Spring, VA
Aircraft
Boeing Stearman A75
Tail Number
N62897
Operator
William a Goodwin
Injuries
Minor
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
NYC03LA017

The Boeing A75 was part of a three ship formation that participated in a flyover of a parade. Upon completion of the flyover, they headed towards their departure airport. En route, the accident airplane departed the formation, and engaged in low level flying. The pilot report that while maneuvering at a low altitude, the engine lost power, and he performed a forced landing, during which the airplane struck trees, and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that after the power loss, he added carburetor heat, changed throttle position, verified the mixture was rich and tried different magneto switch positions to restore power, but nothing restored power. The FAA examined the airplane and found fuel in the right wing tank. The cause of the power loss was not determined.

NTSB Probable Cause

the pilot's improper in-flight decision to fly at an altitude that did not allow for successful completion of a forced landing, after the engine lost power for undetermined reason(s). A factor was the unsuitable terrain.

Full Narrative

On November 11, 2002, about 1440 eastern standard time, a Boeing Stearman A75, N62897, was substantially damaged during a forced landing in Glade Spring, Virginia. The certificated private pilot, and pilot rated passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the local flight that originated from Abingdon, Virginia. No flight plan had been filed for the personal fight that was conducted under 14 CFR Part 91. According to an inspector from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the accident airplane was part of a three airplane formation that had conducted a fly-by at a nearby Veterans Day celebration. At the completion of the fly-by, the three airplanes headed back to Abingdon. In the vicinity of Glade Spring, while two airplanes continued on to Abingdon, the pilot of the accident airplane broke formation, and descended. Several witnesses observed the accident airplane performing low level flight, below the level of the surrounding hills. The pilot reported that the pilot rated passenger was not handling the flight controls at the time of the accident. According to the pilot, he was maneuvering at a low altitude when the engine lost power, and could not clear a tree ahead of him. There was no suitable terrain that he could reach, and the airplane struck the tree, and came to rest inverted. The pilot reported that he added carburetor heat, moved the throttle, verified that the mixture was rich, and tried different positions on the magneto switch. but was unable to restore power to the engine. He also stated that the airplane had been operated for about one hour and the fuel tank was full at departure. The FAA inspector reported that fuel was found in the fuel tank, the propeller was fragmented, the engine had separated from the airframe. The carburetor was crushed, and the fuel line that ran from the fuselage to the engine were separated, and no fuel remained in the line. The FAA inspector reported that he checked the fuel lines from the tank to the engine and there was no indication of obstructions in the lines. The upper and lower right side wings were destroyed, and the upper and lower left side wings had received substantial damage.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time14:40 EST
Nearest Airport0nm
Flight Plan FiledNone
Flight Plan ActivatedNo
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing Stearman A75
Tail NumberN62897
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
OperatorWilliam a Goodwin
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsLycoming · R-680-17 · Reciprocating · 225
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury Summary2 injuries (2 minor injuries)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor2
Uninjured0
Total2
Crew 1Age 68 · Third Class · Minor

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind220° @ 4 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 2900 ft
Temperature / Dew Point63 F / 55
Altimeter29.93 inHg
Observation Time19:00
Weather SourceWFAC

Appendix: Source Data