Aviation Accident Final Report - National Transportation Safety Board
The National Transportation Safety Board did not travel to the scene of this accident.
Additional Participating Entity:
Federal Aviation Administration / Flight Standards District Office; Detroit, Michigan
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
B & S Aviation
E S Wagner Co
Location: Adrian, Michigan
Accident Number: CEN21LA352
Date and Time: July 28, 2021, 10:00 Local
Registration: N6601C
Aircraft: North American AT-6F
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power)
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Analysis
The pilot receiving instruction during the instructional flight reported that he performed a wheel landing and the airplane touched down on the runway centerline. After the tailwheel touched down onto the runway, the airplane began to track to the left. The pilot began to apply increasing right rudder control input, but the airplane continued to track left. He then applied right “differential steering” and the airplane overshot the runway centerline, tracking right. He was unable to arrest the right track with full left rudder control input and left brake, and the airplane ground looped. The left landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing spar. A postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the tailwheel was out of rigging specifications, which would have resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The loss of control during landing due to the out of rig condition of the tailwheel which resulted in a ground loop and impact with the runway.
Findings
Aircraft Nose/tail landing gear - Not specified
Factual Information
The pilot receiving instruction during the instructional flight stated that he performed a wheel landing and the airplane touched down on the runway centerline. After the tailwheel touched down onto the runway, the airplane began to track left. The pilot began to apply increasing right rudder control input, but the airplane continued to track left. He then applied right“ differential steering” and the airplane overshot the runway centerline, tracking right. He was unable to arrest the right track with full left rudder control input and left brake. The airplane ground looped, the left landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the tailwheel was out of rigging specifications, which would have resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.
History of Flight
Landing-flare/touchdown Sys/Comp malf/fail (non-power) (Defining event)
Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground
Landing-landing roll Attempted remediation/recovery
Landing-landing roll Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Private
Age: 61, Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): Helicopter
Restraint Used: 5-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): None
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 3 With waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: August 31, 2021
Occupational Pilot: No
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: July 14, 2021
Flight Time: 4267 hours (Total, all aircraft), 14 hours (Total, this make and model), 41 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 12 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Flight instructor Information
Certificate:
Commercial Age: Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Rear
Other Aircraft Rating(s):
Restraint Used: Unknown
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane multi-engine; Instrument airplane
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Unknown
Last FAA Medical Exam:
Occupational Pilot: UNK
Last Flight Review or Equivalent:
Flight Time: 20000 hours (Total, all aircraft), 150 hours (Total, this make and model), 20 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: North American
Registration: N6601C
Model/Series: AT-6F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1957
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 121-42479
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: July 27, 2021 100 hour
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 6000 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection:
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 5614 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: Pratt & Whitney
ELT: Installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: R1340-AN-1
Registered Owner:
Rated Power:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site: Visual (VMC)
Condition of Light: Day
Observation Facility, Elevation: ADG,802 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 09:53 Local
Direction from Accident Site:
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: /
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction:
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.06 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 29°C / 19°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: Ottawa Lake, OH (DUH)
Type of Flight Plan Filed: None
Destination: Adrian, MI
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 08:30 Local
Type of Airspace:
Airport Information
Airport: Lenawee County Airport ADG
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 798 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 23
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 5001 ft / 100 ft VFR
Approach/Landing: Traffic pattern
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.867674,-84.077306(est)
Location: Adrian, Michigan
Accident Number: CEN21LA352
Date and Time: July 28, 2021, 11:30 Local
Registration: N6601C
Aircraft: North American AT-6F
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Instructional
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: North American
Registration: N6601C
Model/Series: AT-6F
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator: On file
Operating Certificate(s) Held: None
Operator Designator Code:
Meteorological Information and Flight Plan
Conditions at Accident Site:
Condition of Light:
Observation Facility, Elevation:
Observation Time:
Distance from Accident Site:
Temperature/Dew Point:
Lowest Cloud Condition:
Wind Speed/Gusts, Direction: / ,
Lowest Ceiling:
Visibility:
Altimeter Setting:
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Departure Point:
Destination:
Wreckage and Impact Information
Crew Injuries: 2 None
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Passenger Injuries:
Aircraft Fire: None
Ground Injuries:
Aircraft Explosion: None
Total Injuries: 2 None
Latitude, Longitude: 41.867674,84.077306 (est)
