FlightFinder
Check my flight
No fatalities

Local Training Flight Ends in Runway Departure and Nose-Over (N4923N)

Fitchburg, MA, US

On October 15, 1994, a Boeing Stearman PT-17 (registration N4923N) was involved in an aviation accident near Fitchburg, MA. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind condition during landing, which resulted in a ground loop and the subsequent wing tip collision with the runway. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.

Sourcesthe U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archivePrimary reportUpdated 2026-09-03Data APIEditorial standards

A certified flight instructor and a 26-hour student pilot/owner departed for a local training flight. During landing, a gust from the right caused the left wingtip to strike the pavement, leading to a runway departure and nose-over at slow speed.

Incident Overview and Flight Details A certified flight instructor (CFI) and a student pilot who also owned the aircraft departed for a local training flight. The student pilot had 26 hours of flight time. The source does not specify the aircraft type, registration, date, operator, or location. ## Landing Sequence and Wind Gust According to the CFI, touchdown occurred approximately 1,000 feet from the approach end of Runway 32. During the landing, a sudden gust of wind came from the right. The CFI applied hard left rudder and brake, but the controls had no effect. During this time, the left wingtip struck the pavement. ## Runway Departure and Final Position The aircraft left the runway onto the turf. With the left brake locked, the loop halted, but the nose slowly tipped down. The CFI reported that the entire incident took place at slow speed, apparently too slow for the flight controls to have any countering effect.

Frequently asked questions

What happened in the 15 Oct 1994 Boeing Stearman PT-17 accident near Fitchburg, MA?

A certified flight instructor and a 26-hour student pilot/owner departed for a local training flight. During landing, a gust from the right caused the left wingtip to strike the pavement, leading to a runway departure and nose-over at slow speed.

Were there any fatalities in the 15 Oct 1994 Boeing Stearman PT-17 accident?

No fatalities were recorded in this accident.

What aircraft was involved and where did it happen?

The accident on 15 Oct 1994 involved a Boeing Stearman PT-17, registration N4923N, at Fitchburg, MA.

What was the probable cause of the accident?

The pilot's failure to adequately compensate for the crosswind condition during landing, which resulted in a ground loop and the subsequent wing tip collision with the runway.

More accident analyses

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001206X02511. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.