What happened
On September 13, 2023, a Boeing Stearman A75N1 (PT-17), registration N10KP, was involved in an accident near Monticello, Utah. The flight was being operated under 14 CFR Part 91 for personal use.
After completing the preflight checklist and engine run-up, the pilot departed from runway 16 and remained within the airport traffic pattern. Following a low pass over the runway and a left crosswind turn, the aircraft began a climb. At approximately 50 and 500 feet above the ground, the engine began to lose power. While the engine did not suffer a total loss of power, the engine RPM and airspeed continued to decrease. The pilot subsequently executed a forced landing into flat, sagebrush-covered terrain. During the landing roll, the left main landing gear collapsed, causing the lower left wing to strike the surface and resulting in substantial damage to the aircraft. The pilot was not injured.
The investigation
An examination of the airframe and engine showed no mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have prevented normal operation. Investigators confirmed the continuity of the throttle and mixture controls from the rear cockpit to the engine. The fuel system was intact, with no leaks found, and fuel samples from the tank, filter, and carburetor were blue and free of debris.
Engine inspections showed that the propeller could be rotated by hand, and compression was present in all nine cylinders. The starter functioned correctly, and spark was present at all ignition leads. While investigators found remnants of a high-temperature cloth between the air filter and the particle screen, no debris was found in the induction screen or filter, and the air intake did not appear obstructed.