Casualties unknown

2000-09-20: Boeing Stearman D75N1 (N64796) — Englewood, CO

Englewood, CO, US

On September 20, 2000, a Boeing Stearman D75N1 (registration N64796) was involved in an aviation accident near Englewood, CO. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: the flight instructor not maintaining supervision. Contributing factors were the student's hard landing due to excessive flare and subsequent inadvertent stall, and the student's failure to maintain directional control during landing roll. 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 a touch and go landing, a commercial pilot receiving instruction flared too high, causing a stall. The aircraft dropped onto the runway, lost directional control, ground looped, and exited the left side. The right wingtip struck the ground, damaging the right lower aft wing spar.

Incident Summary

A touch and go landing conducted by a commercial pilot under instruction resulted in a stall and subsequent ground loop. According to the flight instructor, the pilot receiving instruction executed the flare at an excessive height, which led to an aerodynamic stall. The aircraft then dropped onto the runway. Upon touchdown, the student pilot lost directional control, and the aircraft performed a ground loop. During this event, the aircraft departed the left side of the runway, and the right wingtip made contact with the ground. This impact caused damage to the right lower aft wing spar.

Flight Details

The flight instructor provided the account of the incident. The commercial pilot was the one receiving instruction and was handling the controls during the touch and go landing maneuver. The flare, typically performed to reduce the descent rate before touchdown, was initiated at an altitude that the instructor considered too high. This resulted in a stall condition above the runway surface. The subsequent loss of lift caused the aircraft to descend abruptly and strike the runway. Following touchdown, the student pilot was unable to maintain directional control, leading to a ground loop. The ground loop caused the aircraft to rotate uncontrollably, veering off the runway to the left.

Damage Assessment

The only damage reported was to the right lower aft wing spar. This structural component sustained damage when the right wingtip contacted the ground during the ground loop. No other damage was specified.

Investigation report by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive. Original record: https://carol.ntsb.gov/event/20001212X21956. This page is a structured re-presentation; facts and quotes are in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), United States.