Boeing Stearman N2S-4 N61S

Summary

On 20 April 1997 at about 16:00 local time, a Boeing Stearman N2S-4 registered N61S was involved in an accident near Apex, North Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was substantially damaged. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 April 1997 at 16:00

Classification

Accident

Location

Apex, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

35.7199, -78.8401

Aircraft

Boeing Stearman N2S-4

Registration

N61S

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Kennebec → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

MIA97FA142

2 people died.

The pilot-in-command's ostentatious display by performing an aerobatic maneuver with inadequate altitude.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Witnesses observed the flight flying south to north over the lake at an altitude of about 30 feet. The aircraft climbed slightly to clear a bridge and then descended back to about 30 feet above the lake. The flight then entered into a loop from that altitude and prior to completion of the maneuver collided with the lake in a nose down attitude. The pilot had leg and hand injuries consistent with operating the aircraft at the time of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.