Casualties unknown

1999-08-28: Boeing Stearman E75 (N4752V) — Sparta, IL

Sparta, IL, US

On August 28, 1999, a Boeing Stearman E75 (registration N4752V) was involved in an aviation accident near Sparta, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's decision not to use all of the available. A factor to the accident was the ditch. 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 1781061362Data APIEditorial standards

During takeoff from a clear-way, the pilot noted a lack of acceleration and a slight descent at 50-75 ft agl, then elected to land. After touchdown, the aircraft veered left and the left wingtip contacted the terrain. No engine anomalies were reported.

Accident Details

The pilot was performing a takeoff from a clear-way situated between a runway and a taxiway. At an altitude of approximately 50 to 75 feet above ground level (agl), the pilot observed that the aircraft was not accelerating and noted a very small descent rate. In response, the pilot decided to abort the takeoff and land.

Touchdown and Subsequent Events

The aircraft touched down approximately abeam the taxiway entrance at the north end of the airport. The pilot believed that the aircraft would overrun the end of the runway and noted a ditch off the end of the runway. In an attempt to avoid the ditch, the pilot tried to lift the aircraft over it. After a second touchdown, the aircraft began to track to the left, and the left wingtip made contact with the terrain.

Engine and Pilot Comments

The pilot did not report any engine anomalies during the takeoff and the accident sequence. In post-accident comments, the pilot stated that using the full length of the takeoff clear-way and maintaining the runway centerline throughout the departure could have prevented the accident.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X19467. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.