Aircraft and Flight Information
The aircraft involved was a Boeing A75N1 (PT-17) Stearman, registration N38940, powered by a single Continental W-670 piston engine. It was manufactured in 1941. The flight was a private operation with one pilot on board and no passengers. The pilot held a Private Pilot's Licence and had accumulated 1,069 flying hours, including 26 hours on type.
Accident Sequence
On 19 May 2001 at 1245 UTC, the pilot was descending from 3,500 feet with reduced engine power. A normal left-hand downwind leg was flown for grass Runway 01 at Priory Farm airstrip, Tibenham, Norfolk. The surface wind was light and westerly. During the final turn, the pilot perceived the aircraft was becoming low and attempted to apply power to correct the descent path. The engine did not produce any increase in power. The only achievable landing area was approximately 45 degrees to the left of the approach path, an area traversed by power lines. The aircraft's height and speed were insufficient to clear the power lines, so the pilot flew the aircraft below them. This resulted in a heavy touchdown in a soft field with the aircraft in a tail-down attitude. The main landing gear collapsed, but the aircraft remained upright on its belly.
Post-Accident Reports
The pilot subsequently heard reports of carburettor icing conditions being experienced by other pilots in the area. The pilot indicated that he had the carburettor heat applied at the time of the accident. The damage to the aircraft was limited to the main landing gear, propeller, and underside of the fuselage. The pilot sustained no injuries.