ASN Wikibase Occurrence # 267343
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| Date: | Saturday 4 September 2021 |
| Time: | 15:48 |
| Type: |  Boeing-Stearman A75N1 (PT-17) |
| Owner/operator: | AeroSuperBatics WingWalkers |
| Registration: | N707TJ |
| MSN: | 75-950 |
| Year of manufacture: | 1940 |
| Engine model: | Pratt &Whitney R-985 |
| Fatalities: | Fatalities: 0 / Occupants: 2 |
| Aircraft damage: | Destroyed |
| Category: | Accident |
| Location: | Sea off Sandbanks, near Poole, Dorset -
 United Kingdom
|
| Phase: | Manoeuvring (airshow, firefighting, ag.ops.) |
| Nature: | Demo/Airshow/Display |
| Departure airport: | Bournemouth International Airport (BOH/EGHH) |
| Bournemouth International Airport (BOH/EGHH) | |
| Investigating agency: | AAIB |
| Confidence Rating: |  Accident investigation report completed and information captured |
While performing an aerobatic wing walking display over the sea at Bournemouth Air Festival, the aircraft experienced a reduction in engine power. The pilot stopped the display routine and flew the aircraft west, along the coast, with the intention of returning to Bournemouth Airport. The wing walker returned to her seat in the front cockpit. Although the aircraft was initially able to maintain height, the engine subsequently experienced a complete loss of power and the pilot ditched in the entrance to Poole Harbour. The aircraft flipped over on contact with the water, but both occupants were able to exit the aircraft unaided.
AAIB Conclusion
The reduction in engine power occurred due to the failure of the oil inlet pipe, which resulted in the loss of the oil supply to the engine. The pilot was quick to respond to the situation and initially intended to return to the airfield avoiding high ground and populated areas. As the situation deteriorated, he continually revaluated his options and positioned the aircraft for a ditching that would reduce the risk to third parties. The pilot and wing walker were well rehearsed in handling emergencies and a successful ditching was carried out.
Following this accident, the operator introduced additional hand signals to enable the wing walker to inform the pilot of any oil or fuel leaks, and for the pilot to inform the walker that he intended to ditch.
Accident investigation:
 |
|
Sources:
1. AAIB Final Report: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/63455275d3bf7f618d8f8850/Boeing_A75N1_PT17__Stearman_N707TJ_12-22.pdf
2. https://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/19559024.wingwalkers-plane-crashes-sea-near-sandbanks-ferry-bournemouth-air-festival/
3. https://wiltshiretoday.co.uk/plane-crash-bournemouth-air-festival/
4. https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/latest-news/breaking-plane-crashes-water-bournemouth-24910118
5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-58448700
6. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-58475187
7. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/aaib-current-field-investigations/air-accidents-investigation-branch-current-field-investigations
8. https://registry.faa.gov/AircraftInquiry/Search/NNumberResult?nNumberTxt=707TJ
Media:
During a display routine flight at Bournemouth Air Festival, a Boeing A75N1 (PT17) Stearman (N707TJ) ditched after a complete loss of power in the sea off Sandbanks, Poole.
— AAIB (@aaibgovuk) October 20, 2022
Read the report: https://t.co/7NleqY20tf#Aviation Safety pic.twitter.com/CK2GSFd5Ib
Wing Walker plane crash in sandbanks pic.twitter.com/QMvdG1wfY6
— Danielle Tomlinson (@danijade85) September 4, 2021
BREAKING: Eyewitnesses say it was a "miracle" no-one was seriously injured after a wing-walker biplane ditched in Poole Harbour following a display at Bournemouth Air Festival. Picture: John Thacker. https://t.co/RVXBpW7KXo pic.twitter.com/jueDrTU9fm
— Bournemouth Echo (@Bournemouthecho) September 4, 2021
#BmthAirFest wingwalker ditched with engine issues by #Sandbanks ferry. No reports of injuries. Sad incident. pic.twitter.com/6t630jmcEs
— BlueThunder #BrexitsCrap #CovidSurvivor 💿🎛️💿💙 (@robertthomas493) September 4, 2021
🤯 CCTV of the plane down at Sandbanks from the Bournemouth Air Festival. So lucky the pilot and wing walker are okay! pic.twitter.com/xqkaygZogJ
— Stuart McAllister (@Stu_McAllister) September 4, 2021
CRASH: 1943-vintage AeroSuperBatics WingWalkers Boeing Stearman N707TJ crashed today at the Bournemouth Air Festival. It reportedly developed engine problems before ditching into the sea. Pilot & wingwalker received minor injuries.https://t.co/vpaSTwAeSAhttps://t.co/wEA5Cmxj6f pic.twitter.com/S2b5ycq0Ig
— Airport Webcams (@AirportWebcams) September 4, 2021
We’re currently assisting with this incident. Please avoid #Sandbanks where possible. https://t.co/g8WVgVLIbG
— Dorset&Wiltshire FRS (@DWFireRescue) September 4, 2021
Revision history:
| Date/time | Contributor | Updates |
|---|---|---|
| 04-Sep-2021 16:21 | sharla82 | Added |
| 04-Sep-2021 16:24 | harro | Updated [Aircraft type, Cn, Total fatalities, Total occupants, Other fatalities, Location, Source, Damage, Narrative] |
| 04-Sep-2021 16:26 | harro | Updated [Operator, Narrative] |
| 04-Sep-2021 16:27 | harro | Updated [Location, Narrative, Category] |
| 04-Sep-2021 16:49 | Iceman 29 | Updated [Embed code] |
| 04-Sep-2021 17:04 | Iceman 29 | Updated [Source, Embed code] |
| 04-Sep-2021 17:13 | Aerossurance | Updated [Location, Nature, Damage] |
| 04-Sep-2021 17:15 | Aerossurance | Updated [Embed code, Narrative] |
| 04-Sep-2021 17:16 | Aerossurance | Updated [Embed code] |
| 04-Sep-2021 23:49 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Location, Departure airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
| 05-Sep-2021 00:10 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
| 05-Sep-2021 06:57 | Aerossurance | Updated [Location, Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
| 05-Sep-2021 07:26 | Anon. | Updated [Embed code, Category] |
| 05-Sep-2021 10:10 | Aerossurance | Updated [Location, Departure airport, Source, Embed code, Narrative, Category] |
| 05-Sep-2021 18:41 | Anon. | Updated [Source] |
| 08-Sep-2021 14:47 | Aerossurance | Updated [Location, Narrative] |
| 08-Sep-2021 18:35 | Aerossurance | Updated [Source] |
| 02-Oct-2022 20:49 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Source] |
| 20-Oct-2022 09:08 | harro | Updated [Time, Destination airport, Narrative, Accident report] |
| 20-Oct-2022 20:12 | Dr. John Smith | Updated [Location, Source, Embed code, Narrative] |
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