Boeing B75N1 accident near Woodruff, South Carolina, July 17, 2013
On July 17, 2013 at about 10:15 pm local time, a Boeing B75N1, registered N5815V, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Woodruff, South Carolina (Triple Tree Airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s decision to initiate a stall maneuver at a low altitude, which resulted in an uncontrolled descent and inadvertent collision with trees and terrain.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 17, 2013 · about 10:15 pm local time
- Place
- Woodruff, South Carolina · Triple Tree Airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Boeing B75N1 · all B75N1s on the register
- Registration
- N5815V · registry record · serial 75-7616
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
After making a low pass over the airport, the pilot of the vintage aerobatic biplane initiated a “stall turn” in order to reverse direction. During the climb portion of the maneuver, the airplane “did not achieve the required altitude for a safe recovery due to the extra weight of [the] passenger.” During the descent and attempted recovery from the maneuver, the right wing impacted a tree and the airplane subsequently impacted the ground, and came to rest inverted. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed substantial damage to the upper and lower wings, fuselage, and vertical stabilizer. The pilot reported no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Aerodynamic stall/spin during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during uncontrolled descent
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Action/decision › Info processing/decision › Decision making/judgment › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Altitude › Incorrect use/operation
Pilot
- Certificate: commercial pilot
- Ratings: single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 3,365 hours in all; 251 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 11 in the last 30 days; 3,240 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: November 17, 2011
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: rear
- Injury: minor injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 5,407 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, September 6, 2012; 50 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 2,950 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: Lycoming R680-8 (piston); 0 hours total
- Operator: Cumulus Holdings LLC
The flight
- Departed from: SC00 Woodruff SC at 9:30 pm
- Destination: SC00 Woodruff SC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 21, 7,000 ft by 400 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 050° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 81°F (27°C), dew point 81°F (27°C)
- Altimeter: 30.17 inHg
- Observation at 10:15 pm from LUX, 10 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.