On June 26, 1999, a Boeing Stearman B75N1 (registration N2PP) was involved in an aviation accident near Kalamazoo, MI. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's failure to maintain directional control of the airplane during landing. A factor was the variable wind condition. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane ground looped while landing on runway 23. The right main gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest facing the opposite direction. Winds were light and variable.
Accident Details
An airplane experienced a ground loop during landing on runway 23. The pilot reported that the winds were light and variable from the southeast and stated that no crosswind correction was required during the approach and landing. During the landing roll, the airplane veered sharply to the left, and the pilot was unable to correct the movement. The right main gear collapsed, and the airplane came to rest facing the direction opposite the landing.
Wind Conditions
Local winds at the time of the accident were reported as variable at six knots. The pilot reported being told that at the time of the landing, the windsock was straight out and perpendicular to the runway.
Post-Accident Inspection
No evidence of brake failure or malfunction was discovered during the post-accident inspection of the airplane.