Introduction
On 13 April 2016, a Boeing E75 Stearman (registration N43YP, serial number 75-6018) operated as a private flight suffered a runway excursion during landing at North Weald Airfield, Essex. The aircraft was manufactured in 1942 and powered by a single Pratt & Whitney R1340 series piston engine.
Pilot and Flight Details
The 63-year-old pilot held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 1,199 total flying hours, including 102 hours on type. In the preceding 90 days, he had flown 8 hours, with 5 hours in the last 28 days. Two persons were on board (crew only); no passengers were carried.
Accident Narrative
The aircraft was landing on asphalt Runway 20. The control tower reported the wind as 240° at 4 knots, with occasional gusts of 15 knots from 290°. The pilot employed his usual wing‑down and opposite rudder approach technique, touching down on the main wheels in a wheeler landing. As elevator authority diminished, he allowed the tail to lower. After a few seconds in the three‑point attitude, a swing to the right developed. Despite applying full left rudder, the swing continued to diverge. The left lower wingtip and aileron contacted the asphalt before the aircraft departed the runway, running briefly onto grass and then encountering a paved taxiway. The aircraft completed a 270° ground loop before coming to rest. The right lower wingtip and aileron also sustained grazing contact.
Damage and Aftermath
Damage consisted of abrasion to the undersides of the left and right lower wingtips and ailerons, and a fractured left wheel rim. The pilot subsequently realized that the left main wheel had been damaged as it crossed the interface between the grass and paved surfaces. He also noted that on several occasions during the hour following the accident, the windsock was horizontal and perpendicular to the runway, indicating occasional crosswind gusts.
Investigation
The information for this report was provided by the pilot via an Aircraft Accident Report Form. No probable cause was stated in the source.