On April 30, 1999, a Boeing Stearman 1B75A (registration N56208) was involved in an aviation accident near Olympia, WA. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout in a crosswind, which resulted in the aircraft ground looping. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
A pilot lost directional control during landing rollout in a crosswind, causing the aircraft to ground loop and sustain damage to the left wing structure.
What happened
The accident occurred during the landing phase of flight. While the aircraft was on the runway during rollout, it encountered a crosswind condition that compromised directional control. The pilot reported that winds were blowing from 230 degrees at speeds between 10 and 12 knots.
As the aircraft decelerated, it swerved sharply to the right side of the runway. This deviation led to a loss of controllability, resulting in the aircraft ground looping. The violent rotation caused significant structural damage, specifically affecting the left wing and the aileron assembly.
The investigation
An examination of the incident revealed no evidence of mechanical failures or malfunctions with the aircraft prior to the accident. The pilot's report indicated that the wind conditions were the primary environmental factor during the event.
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during landing rollout in a crosswind, which resulted in the aircraft ground looping.