Biplane Crash Disrupts Operations at Washington's Reagan National Airport

What's the big deal ? That's how they used to fly those things in the old days, and like back then the pilot/passenger walked away ! That doesn't happen with todays better planes now does it ?!

Any landing you can walk away from, is a good landing.

How comforting to see so many "experts" commenting on this accident. So many speak with such authority you'd think they were in the plane looking over the pilots shoulder when it happened. Too bad you all weren't there to advise the pilot how to land his plane safely.

He should have kept his feet off the brakes when he touched down...It was a taildragger not a tricycle gear...

I'm also a taildragger pilot, and sympathize with that aviator. I'm especially impressed with the calm, professional attitudes of both the pilot and passenger. No expletives, no drama, just "You okay?" "undo your belt," and "get away from the airplane." The passenger was just as clear-headed, calmly capturing everything on video as he complied with the pilot's instructions. No matter what caused the noseover, this pilot is a real credit to general aviation!

Any aviator can tell you that this was not a "crash." The pilot made a successful landing. The aircraft flipped over afterwards, probably because the pilot applied the brakes more firmly than necessary on the hard surface runway.

As a version of the PT 17. I have a few hours of logged time in this type. A delightful airplane to fly and a handfull on the ground...
One old saying about flying this airplane : there are Stearman pilots who have ground looped the plane and there are steaman pilots who will ground loop one...
When I got checked out in this airplane 20 years ago, everything went fine for this 400 hour pilot but the very next landing by the owner, an instructer and 3000 hour pilot ground looped it, scraped the wing tip on the runway and almost stood it up on it's nose...... It happens...

Just saw this on TV and it appeared that either the pilot got on the brakes a little heavy or there was a malfunction and seizure of the brake. I'd personally vote for the malfunction and the plane seemed to be in great shape as they walked away.

On any propeller driven airplane, if the prop strikes the landing surface, be it concrete, grass, dirt, or asphalt, then the entire engine must be torn down and rebuilt before it can be flown again. If there was no structural damage then the plane will be just as safe as before. Now, if only the FAA could figure a similar fix for the pilot...............

I remember seeing these planes in the 40's when they were used by the Army Airforce, they were bright yellow then also..later i had the great opportunity to fly one. They are my favorite of plane to fly. They are a real piece of history, when the Army disposed of them they were converted to crop dusters, stunt planes, and air-racers, not the fate one would hope for such a noble plane..If this one is lost it will be a real shame, for there cannot be that many left. Hope the plane survived as well as the people on board.