View of left wing damage.
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board: https://app.ntsb.gov/pdf
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board: https://dms.ntsb.gov/pubdms
https://registry.faa.gov/N62644
Location: Franklin, PA
Accident Number: GAA19CA491
Date & Time: 08/10/2019, 1700 EDT
Registration: N62644
Aircraft: CONSOLIDATED VULTEE BT13
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General Aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, the airplane encountered a wind gust and veered left. The airplane exited the runway onto adjacent grass, and the left main landing gear collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots and variable from 290° to 350°. The airplane was departing from runway 3.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left main landing gear collapsing.
Findings
Aircraft
Directional control - Not attained/maintained (Cause)
Personnel issues
Aircraft control - Pilot (Cause)
Environmental issues
Gusts - Effect on operation (Cause)
Crosswind - Effect on operation (Cause)
Factual Information
History of Flight
Takeoff
Other weather encounter
Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Runway excursion
Landing gear collapse
Certificate: Private
Age:71, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine Land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used:
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: No
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed: No
Medical Certification: BasicMed With Waivers/Limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: 12/22/2017
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: 07/19/2019
Flight Time: (Estimated) 3000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 100 hours (Total, this make and model), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: CONSOLIDATED VULTEE
Registration: N62644
Model/Series: BT13
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1942
Amateur Built: No
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 79-1287
Landing Gear Type: Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: 06/01/2019, Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 4500 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 1687.9 Hours as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: Installed
Engine Model/Series: R-985 SERIES
Registered Owner: On file
Rated Power: 450 hp
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual Conditions
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: KFKL, 1539 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 2056 UTC
Direction from Accident Site: 319°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Few / 4200 ft agl
Visibility: 10 Miles
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 8 knots / 17 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: None / None
Wind Direction: 320°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: N/A / Moderate
Altimeter Setting: 30 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 22°C / 12°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Wadsworth, OH (3G3)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Franklin, PA (FKL)
Type of Clearance: None
Departure Time: 0930 EDT
Type of Airspace: Class E
Airport Information
Airport: Venango Rgnl (FKL)
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 1540 ft
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 03
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5200 ft / 150 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: None
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries: 1 None
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries: N/A
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.377500, -79.860556 (est)
