Event LAX97LA130

Factual narrative

On March 21, 1997, at 1030 hours Pacific standard time, a Boeing Stearman B75N1, N68800, sheared the left landing gear in a ground loop while landing at Southern California International Airport, Victorville, California. The aircraft sustained substantial damage. The pilot and passenger, co-owners of the aircraft, were not injured. The personal flight originated from Upland, California, at 1000 on the day of the accident, and no flight plan was filed. Visual meteorological conditions existed for the flight. The pilot reported that the "left wheel broke on rollout after landing," and the airplane became uncontrollable. The airplane ground looped and the left gear came off and went through the propeller. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector from the Riverside, California, Flight Standards District Office who was present at the time of the accident, the aircraft was landing with a slight quartering tailwind, but appeared to make a normal landing, became airborne again, and subsequently ground looped. The FAA stated that there was no indication of brakes being used, and that the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft and sheared the left main gear off. The aircraft and engine were inspected on scene and no discrepancies were identified. The pilot stated that during the landing rollout, the left wheel failed and the airplane became uncontrollable. The airplane ground looped, and the left gear came off and struck the propeller. An FAA inspector was present at the time of the accident and reported that the landing was made with a slight quartering tailwind, but appeared normal. However; the airplane became airborne again after initial touchdown, and it subsequently ground looped, shearing the left main landing gear. According to the inspector, there was no indication of brakes being used, and the pilot lost directional control of the aircraft. The FAA inspector examined the aircraft and found no discrepancy with the control system, brakes, or landing gear. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12