NTSB Factual Report

On October 7, 2007, at 1143 eastern daylight time, a 1941 Boeing A75N (Stearman), N66004, was destroyed after colliding with trees during takeoff from runway 20 at Flying Circus Aerodrome, (3VA3), Bealeton, Virginia. The certificated commercial pilot and the passenger received minor injuries. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed, and no flight plan was filed for the local sightseeing flight that was conducted under 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

In a telephone interview, the pilot stated that the airplane had been flying earlier in the day, but the accident flight was his first for the day. He stated the airplane was loaded with a passenger and "at least 3/4 tanks" when he initiated the takeoff to the south. Prior to takeoff, he did not perform any performance planning, nor did he complete a magneto check.

When asked about the performance and handling of the airplane, the pilot stated, "It came right up on power, accelerated normally, [and] it was perhaps a little longer than usual on the takeoff roll. The takeoff roll was okay but it wasn't climbing really well and struck trees at the far end. The controls were free and correct." After striking trees, the airplane struck wires and terrain and was subsequently consumed by a postcrash fire.

The pilot reported that he held a commercial pilot certificate with a rating for airplane single engine land. He estimated that he had about 1,600 total hours of flight experience, 27 hours of which were in make and model. His most recent Federal Aviation Administration second class medical certificate was issued August 15, 2007.

At 1140, the weather reported at Culpeper Regional Airport (CJR), Culpeper, Virginia, located approximately 7 miles northeast of the accident site included wind from 010 degrees at 5 knots, visibility unrestricted at 10 miles, skies clear, temperature 32 degrees Celsius (C), dew point 22 degrees C, and an altimeter setting of 30.10 inches of mercury (inHg). The relative humidity was 41 percent, and the density altitude was 2,501 feet.

Manassas Regional Airport (HEF), Manassas, Virginia, located 14 miles northeast reported similar conditions with northwest winds from 6 to 12 knots, a temperature of about 32 degrees C, and a density altitude of 2,155 feet.

At 1155, the weather reported at HEF included winds from 340 degrees at 7 knots, temperature 31 degrees C, dew point 18 degrees C, clear skies, and an altimeter setting of 30.09 inHg. The density altitude was 2,140 feet.

When asked about the winds and the takeoff direction, the pilot responded, "The winds were mostly across, a slight cross wind, nothing serious. Everybody was taking off to the south." "The winds did turn around later, it's one of the things that did happen and I suspect that it didn't help. [The] temperatures [were] in the high 80's, and the [density altitude] was a couple of thousand feet."

The pilot stated that he weighed "about 200 pounds" and estimated his passenger weighed between 225 and 250 pounds. When asked about performance planning charts or cards for the airplane, he responded, "I don't believe I've ever seen one." Examination of the performance charts provided by the owner revealed that they were for an airplane with a lower gross weight, and that there were no adjustments for tailwind departures.

When asked what may have caused the accident, the pilot replied, "A combination of a lot of things. All of it; the heavy passenger, full of fuel, a slight tailwind. A little of everything. I don't know. [The airplane] was turning up the way it ought to."

NTSB Probable Cause

The pilot's failure to conduct performance planning before takeoff.