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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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July 21, 2007 · Boeing A-75 · N56551

Spokane, WA

Overview

Report Status
Final with probable cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
July 21, 2007
Injury Outcomes
No injuries (2 uninjured)
Location
Spokane, WA
Aircraft
Boeing A-75
Tail Number
N56551
Injuries
None
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
NTSB Number
SEA07LA213

Soon after touching down on the main landing gear, the airplane's left brake locked up, and the airplane began to veer toward the edge of the runway. During the pilot's attempts to keep the airplane rolling straight, both bottom wings came in contact with the runway surface, and the airplane nosed over. The airplane's left tire had created a significant skid mark starting just past where the airplane touched down. There was no evidence of skidding of the right main landing gear tire. The investigation did not reveal any reason for the malfunction of the left brake, but the skid mark on the runway indicated that the brake mechanism had malfunctioned or locked up while the airplane was in the air, or during the touchdown sequence.

NTSB Probable Cause

The locking/seizing of a main landing gear brake mechanism during the landing roll.

Full Narrative

On July 21, 2007, approximately 1600 Pacific daylight time, a Boeing Stearman A-75, N56551, nosed over during the landing roll at Felts Field, Spokane, Washington. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the airplane, which is owned and operated by the pilot, sustained substantial damage. The 14 CFR Part 91 personal pleasure flight originated at the same airport about 10 minutes prior to the accident. The flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions. There was no report of an ELT activation. According to the pilot, soon after touching down on the main gear, the left brake locked up, and the airplane began to veer toward the edge of the runway. During his attempts to keep the airplane rolling straight, both bottom wings came in contact with the runway surface, and before he could get it stopped, it flipped over onto its back. According to the FAA Inspector who responded to the scene, the airplane's left tire had created a significant skid mark starting at a point just past where the airplane touched down. There was no evidence of skidding of the right main gear tire. The FAA inspector's post-accident inspection of the airplane did not reveal any clear reason for the malfunction of the left brake. In a telephone conversation with the NTSB Investigator-In-Charge (IIC), the inspector said that it was his opinion that the brake mechanism had malfunctioned/locked either while the airplane was in the air, or during the touchdown sequence. During a telephone conversation, the pilot gave the NTSB IIC a detailed description of the accident sequence, but he failed to submit an NTSB Form 6120.1/2.

Flight

Event TypeAccident
Event Time16:00 PDT
Nearest AirportFelts Field (0nm)
Runway21L
Runway Length3059 ft
Runway Width75 ft
Flight Plan FiledNone
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo

Aircraft

AircraftBoeing A-75
Tail NumberN56551
Aircraft CategoryAir
DamageSubstantial
Operating RulePart 91
Engines1
Engine TypeReciprocating
Engine DetailsContinental · R670 · Reciprocating · 220
Seats2

People & Injuries

Injury SummaryNo injuries (2 uninjured)
Fatal0
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured2
Total2
Crew 1Age 33 · Third Class · None

Conditions

ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind240° @ 6 kt
Visibility10 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 9000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point0 C
Altimeter29.95 inHg
Weather SourceWIT

Appendix: Source Data