Stearman Aircraft C3-B N3440 accident near Spokane, Washington

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing. Contributing to the accident was the touch down in a slide-slip.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that he was involved in a biplane fly-in that was going on at the time of the accident. According to a Federal Aviation Administration inspector, witnesses observed the airplane in a left side-slip during landing. The airplane subsequently touched down in the side-slip on the left wheel. The pilot applied full right rudder to compensate, then right brake to straighten out the airplane; however, the left landing gear strut collapsed, and the airplane entered into a slow speed ground loop, substantially damaging the lower wing. The pilot stated there were no pre-impact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal flight.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for WPR11CA336 for the full record.