Boeing Stearman A75N1 N52558

Summary

On 20 March 1999 at about 19:20 local time, a Boeing Stearman A75N1 registered N52558, operated by Russell L. Allen, was involved in an accident near Mesa, Arizona, United States. 2 people were on board and nobody was injured. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 March 1999 at 19:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Mesa, Arizona, United States

Nearest airport

Falcon Field (FFZ)

Coordinates

33.4394, -111.8500

Aircraft

Boeing Stearman A75N1

Registration

N52558

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Russell L. Allen

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

LAX99LA126

Nobody was injured.

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the gusty and variable crosswind condition, which led to a loss of directional control and an inadvertent ground loop.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot said this was the third flight of the day and the winds 'were acting up.' The wind checks on final from the tower were 140 degrees at 10 knots with gusts, and a second one of 160 degrees at 15 knots shortly thereafter. The pilot stated that he touched down in a wheel landing, rolled a short distance, and the aircraft suddenly turned 90 degrees to the left. The pilot noted that he encountered a wind phenomena that was abrupt and without warning, and was unable to make any corrections. The right landing gear collapsed and the right lower wing was bent.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.