Summary
On 10 September 2005 at 1515 UTC, a Boeing A75N1 Stearman, registration G-BTFG, sustained damage after a ground loop during the landing roll at Manston Airport, Kent. The aircraft, powered by a single Continental Motors Corp W-670-6N piston engine, was completing a half-hour trial flying lesson. Both crew members were uninjured.
Incident Sequence
The commander, aged 49 with a Basic Commercial Pilot's Licence and 2,586 total flying hours (21 on type), made a normal landing on Runway 10. The surface wind was reported as 060°/3 kt. The landing was performed in a three-point attitude and was uneventful until the aircraft's speed had decayed to approximately 30 kt. At that point, a gust of wind lifted the left-hand wing. The pilot attempted to correct this uncommanded motion with left aileron and left rudder. The aircraft then yawed to the left and the left wing came down, with the wing tip hitting the ground. Immediately after, the aircraft yawed to the right, coming to a halt almost 180° off the original runway heading. The occupants vacated the aircraft without incident.
Findings
Inspection of the aircraft revealed that the left-side landing gear had collapsed and marks on the runway indicated that this had occurred after the aircraft had started yawing right. The pilot reported no recollection of overcontrolling during the event. The aircraft's left wing tip, aileron, and landing gear were damaged.
Probable Cause
The investigation did not identify a specific probable cause for this incident.