Boeing Stearman N2S-4 accident near Apex, NC
On April 20, 1997, a Boeing Stearman N2S-4 (airplane) was involved in an accident near Apex, NC. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 20, 1997
- Place
- Apex, NC
- Aircraft
- Boeing Stearman N2S-4 · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 35.720°N, 78.840°W
- NTSB ID
- 20001208X07766
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On April 20, 1997, about 1200 eastern daylight time, a Boeing Stearman N2S-4, N61S, registered to private individuals, crashed while maneuvering near Apex, North Carolina, while on a Title 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The aircraft received substantial damage and the private-rated pilot and private-rated passenger were fatally injured. The flight originated from Kennebec, North Carolina, the same day, about 1100. Witnesses observed the aircraft flying from south to north over Jordan Lake at an altitude of about 30 feet agl. They stated, that as the aircraft approached the bridge at Highway 64, the pilot climbed the aircraft slightly to clear the bridge and then descended back to about 30 feet above the water. About 1 mile north of the bridge, while still at about 30 feet agl, the pilot attempted to perform a loop. As the aircraft descended on the back side of the loop, the aircraft did not have enough altitude to complete the maneuver, and crashed into the water. PERSONNEL INFORMATION Information on the pilot and private-rated passenger is contained in this report under First Pilot Information and in attachments to this report. AIRCRAFT INFORMATION Information on the aircraft is contained in this report under Aircraft Information. METEOROLOGICAL INFORMATION Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time of the accident. Additional meteorological information is contained in this report under Weather Information. WRECKAGE AND IMPACT INFORMATION The aircraft crashed
Probable cause
The pilot-in-command's ostentatious display by performing an aerobatic maneuver with inadequate altitude.
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Browse: North Carolina
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
