Stearman A75N1(PT17) N68825

Summary

On 28 April 2019 at about 20:37 local time, a Stearman A75N1(PT17) registered N68825, operated by Port Townsend Aero Museum, was involved in an accident near Sequim, Washington, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 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

28 April 2019 at 20:37

Classification

Accident

Location

Sequim, Washington, United States

Coordinates

48.0472, -122.8742

Aircraft

Stearman A75N1(PT17)

Registration

N68825

Category

Airplane

Year built

1942

Engines

1

Operator

Port Townsend Aero Museum

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Port Townsend → Port Townsend

Aircraft damage

Substantial

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

WPR19LA125

2 people had minor injuries.

The total loss of engine power due to the fatigue failure of the crankshaft.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

Shortly after takeoff for a personal flight, about 1,200 ft mean sea level, the pilot observed spraying oil and light oil smoke and detected the smell of oil coupled with an engine vibration. The pilot decided to make a forced landing. The engine vibration increased, and the engine seized before landing. The forced landing resulted in substantial damage to the right wing and fuselage. Examination of the radial engine revealed a crankshaft failure due to fatigue; beach marks (also known as arrest marks) were observed in the region of the fracture surface. The maintenance records indicated that the last engine overhaul was accomplished about 15 years before the accident. Engine time since major overhaul recorded at the last annual inspection about 9 months before the accident was 143 hours.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.