Stearman A75N1(PT17) N56949

Summary

On 6 October 2018 at about 16:15 local time, a Stearman A75N1(PT17) registered N56949 was involved in an accident near New Orleans, Louisiana, 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

6 October 2018 at 16:15

Classification

Accident

Location

New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Nearest airport

Lakefront (NEW)

Coordinates

30.0386, -90.0264

Aircraft

Stearman A75N1(PT17)

Registration

N56949

Category

Airplane

Year built

1944

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Slidell → New Orleans

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

GAA19CA009

Nobody was injured.

The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control during a crosswind landing.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot reported that, while landing in a crosswind, the tailwheel-equipped biplane was "thrusted downward violently" and landed hard. He added that the biplane then veered right off the runway. He then attempted a go-around, but after applying power, realized the need for full left aileron to maintain heading. He decided to abort the go-around and reduced power to land. During the landing, he used brakes to avoid airport signs in the landing path, the right main tire "got some traction," and the biplane ground looped to the right. The biplane sustained substantial damage to both lower wings and the elevator. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the biplane that would have precluded normal operation. The pilot reported that the wind was from 110° at 15 knots and that terrain-induced moderate turbulence existed. The automated weather observation system at the airport reported the following about the time of the accident: temperature 88°F, dew point 75°F, visibility 10 miles, wind from 110° at 11 knots, and a broken layer of clouds at 2,800 ft. The pilot was landing the biplane on runway 18L.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.