Boeing Stearman D75-N1 N59768

Summary

On 26 May 2003 at about 18:50 local time, a Boeing Stearman D75-N1 registered N59768 was involved in an accident near Avis, Pennsylvania, United States. One person was on board and one had minor injuries. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

26 May 2003 at 18:50

Classification

Accident

Location

Avis, Pennsylvania, United States

Coordinates

41.1847, -77.3139

Aircraft

Boeing Stearman D75-N1

Registration

N59768

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Lock Haven → Jersey Shore

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

NYC03LA115

1 person had minor injuries.

A loss of engine power due to carburetor ice. A factor in this accident were weather conditions favorable to carburetor ice.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that the airplane was in cruise flight when he reduced the throttle to idle, and began a gradual descent to an altitude of about 500 feet. At that time, the pilot advanced the throttle; however, the engine did not respond. The engine never developed more than a "fast idle" and the pilot was unable to restore engine power. The pilot located a corn field and performed an emergency landing. During the landing roll, the airplane flipped over and came to rest inverted. Examination of the airplane did not reveal any pre-impact mechanical malfunctions. A weather observation reported at an airport about 20 miles east of the accident site, included a temperature and dew point of 62 and 55 degrees F; respectively. According to an FAA carburetor icing probability chart, the weather conditions were favorable for moderate icing at cruise speed, or serious icing at glide power.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.