Accident Overview
On August 30, 2018, about 1900 central daylight time, a Stearman A75N1 (PT17) airplane sustained substantial damage when it nosed over during the landing roll at Kenosha Regional Airport (ENW), Kenosha, Wisconsin. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. The local flight had departed ENW about 1830.
Pilot Account
The pilot, an airline transport pilot and the sole occupant, was not injured. He reported that he had performed three touch-and-go maneuvers without using any braking. On the fourth and last planned landing, during the rollout at about 30 mph, the airplane experienced an excessive tail wheel shimmy due to a left brake assembly issue. At about 25 mph, the airplane nosed over and came to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the rudder.
Postaccident Examination
A postaccident examination by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that the left main wheel and brake assembly was locked, and the wheel and tire could not be rotated. Partial disassembly of the wheel and brake assembly showed a failed retaining bolt for the brake backing plate and a crack in the backing plate. The pilot reported that the specified brake lining-to-drum clearance was 0.008/0.010 inches.
Aircraft Information
The most recent annual inspection of the airplane was completed on September 1, 2017, about 20 hours prior to the accident.