On June 8, 2001, a Boeing Stearman A-75 (registration N4558N) was involved in an aviation accident near Marissa, IL. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's manuever to avoid obstructions and his failure to abort takeoff. The pilot's failure to establish adequate climb, and the transmission wire are contributing factors. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An airplane was damaged during a takeoff maneuver to avoid power lines. The pilot reported reduced performance after a propeller change and attempted to land, but the wing tip struck the ground, causing the aircraft to flip over.
Event Description
The airplane sustained damage while maneuvering to avoid power lines during takeoff. According to the pilot, he was attempting to land in a field on the left side of the 2,100-foot long grass runway when the wing tip contacted the ground, causing the airplane to "flip over on it's back."
Pilot Statements
Prior to the flight, the airplane's propeller was changed. The pilot stated that the airplane was not performing as expected and he did not think he could clear the power lines. He noted that the engine was operating as expected and the static RPM "seemed okay." However, the pilot remarked that the airplane's performance was better prior to the propeller change.