Saturday, July 25, 2015

Stearman B75N1, N5820V: Incident occurred July 25, 2015 at Westmoreland Airport (49NY), Shelter Island, New York

http://registry.faa.gov/N5820V

FAA Flight Standards District Office:  FAA Farmingdale FSDO-11

NTSB Identification: GAA15CA205
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, July 25, 2015 in Shelter Island, NY
Aircraft: BOEING B75N1, registration: N5820V
Injuries: 1 Minor.

NTSB investigators used data provided by various entities, including, but not limited to, the Federal Aviation Administration and/or the operator and did not travel in support of this investigation to prepare this aircraft accident report.

According to the pilot of the tailwheel-equipped bi-plane, during the landing roll, as number three in a flight of three, on a turf runway, he lost sight of the airplane ahead, he relaxed the stick, the tail came up, and the airplane nosed over. The pilot reported that he was unable to see beyond mid-field due to the crown in the runway, and "became concerned with the actual location of the other aircraft." The pilot reported that he allowed the airplane's tail to rise six to eight inches, and as he applied the brakes, the center of gravity shifted forward due to the 40 gallons of fuel in the bi-plane's upper wing. The airplane nosed over and sustained substantial damage to the rudder, empennage, and top wings.

The pilot reported that there were no mechanical failures or anomalies prior to or during the flight that would have prevented normal operation.



The pilot who flipped the vintage World War II-era plane completely upside down after landing at Klenawicus Airfield Saturday morning has been identified as Robert Fritts, 88, of Manorville, according to the Shelter Island Police Department.


The police confirmed an earlier account that the accident was caused by the pilot “over applying” his brakes.

Mr. Fritts was transported to Stony Brook Hospital for treatment of injuries, still unknown at this time.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident, according to the police.

This is the second crash in three months at Klenawicus Airfield involving an elderly pilot. In April, Michael Russo crash landed his plane shortly after takeoff and was also airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital for treatment. Mr. Russo’s crash was also attributed to pilot’s error.

Below is the original Reporter post:

A vintage aircraft dating from World War II completely flipped upside down shortly after landing at Klenawicus Airfield this morning.

The pilot, who remains unidentified at this time, was alone in the aircraft. He was airlifted to Stony Brook Hospital via helicopter at about 1 p.m. His condition is not known at this time, but those at the scene said he appeared to have minor injuries from the crash.

Jim Pugh, head of the Shelter Island Pilot’s Association, was present at the accident, which occurred about 10:20 a.m. Mr. Pugh said that the pilot made a smooth landing but then probably hit the brakes too hard resulting in the single-engine, open-cockpit airplane flipping over. Weather conditions had no effect on the accident, Mr. Pugh said.

Shelter Island Police Department and Emergency Medical Services personnel were at the airfield promptly after the crash.

Mr. Pugh said the pilot was rescued from the aircraft and appeared to be suffering only a laceration on one hand, but later was airlifted to the hospital.

The plane is a Stearman biplane, a trainer with U.S. Navy insignias. Islander Stuart Schechter, a pilot, who was helping right the aircraft, said the Stearman is a notoriously “front-heavy” plane, and sudden stops can cause the aircraft to go belly up.

The plane was righted using a crane, and was towed off the field by tractor.

Story and photo: http://shelterislandreporter.timesreview.com

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