Boeing PT-17 Stearman accident near Tuckasegee, NC
On August 17, 2003, a Boeing PT-17 Stearman (airplane) was involved in an accident near Tuckasegee, NC. 2 people died. Damage to the aircraft: destroyed.
- Date
- August 17, 2003
- Place
- Tuckasegee, NC
- Aircraft
- Boeing PT-17 Stearman · Airplane
- Injuries
- 2 fatal, 0 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Destroyed
- Position
- 35.236°N, 83.016°W
- NTSB ID
- 20030821X01376
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHT On August 17, 2003, at 1448 eastern daylight time, a Boeing PT-17 Stearman, N38998, registered to and operated by a private owner, as a 14 CFR Part 91, personal flight, collided with trees while maneuvering east of the Franklin Macon County Airport in the vicinity of Tuckasegee, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. A post-crash fire ensued and the airplane was destroyed. The commercial pilot received fatal injuries, and the pilot-rated passenger expired two-weeks later. The flight originated from the Franklin, Macon County Airport, Macon County, North Carolina on August 17, 2003, at 1400. According to the Jackson County Sheriff police report, a local resident who witnessed the accident stated that he heard a low flying aircraft around his residence. He went out on his balcony and saw what he described as a bi-plane flying extremely low. He heard the plane sputtering and thought it was trying to land. The aircraft went over the ridge and he heard what he described as a crash and then an explosion. He saw smoke and contacted 911 emergency services. PERSONNEL INFORMATION A review of information on file with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Airman's Certification Division, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, revealed the pilot was issued a commercial pilot certificate on November 13, 1970, with ratings for airplane single engine land, and instrument airplane. In addition, the pilot held a Flight Instructor certificate. A review of records on file with the FAA Aeromedical Records Division revealed the pilot he
Probable cause
The pilot's failure to maintain visual lookout which resulted in an in-flight collision with trees. A factor was drug impairment.
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Browse: North Carolina · Boeing aircraft
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
