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; San Antonio, Texas
Investigation Docket - National Transportation Safety Board:
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Accident Number: CEN22LA101
Date and Time: January 16, 2022, 09:20 Local
Registration: N16JG
Aircraft: North American AT-6C
Aircraft Damage: Substantial
Defining Event: Loss of control on ground
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Analysis
The pilot reported that he was starting a formation flying clinic and that the purpose of the flight was to gain familiarization and proficiency in the airplane. After completing a flight in the local area, he returned to demonstrate several wheel landings. The landing touchdown was normal; however, the pilot lowered the tailwheel to the runway at a higher speed than usual. To reduce the load on the tailwheel, he reduced the back pressure on the control stick. The airplane started to drift to the right and his efforts to regain control were not successful. The airplane subsequently departed the right side of the runway into “relatively softer ground” adjacent to the runway. The left main landing gear “folded inboard at the oleo strut and the left wing contacted the ground.” The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane before the accident. He noted that holding the control stick at the aft limit until the landing was complete might have prevented the accident.
Probable Cause and Findings
The National Transportation Safety Board determines the probable cause(s) of this accident to be:
The pilot’s loss of directional control during landing.
Findings
Aircraft Directional control - Not attained/maintained
Personnel issues Aircraft control - Pilot
Factual Information
History of Flight
Landing-landing roll Loss of control on ground (Defining event)
Pilot Information
Certificate: Airline transport; Flight instructor
Age: 67,Male
Airplane Rating(s): Single-engine land; Single-engine sea; Multi-engine land
Seat Occupied: Front
Other Aircraft Rating(s): None
Restraint Used: 4-point
Instrument Rating(s): Airplane
Second Pilot Present: Yes
Instructor Rating(s): Airplane single-engine
Toxicology Performed:
Medical Certification: Class 2 Without waivers/limitations
Last FAA Medical Exam: December 21, 2021
Occupational Pilot: Yes
Last Flight Review or Equivalent: April 2, 2021
Flight Time: 17347 hours (Total, all aircraft), 25 hours (Total, this make and model), 7774 hours (Pilot In Command, all aircraft), 24 hours (Last 90 days, all aircraft), 14 hours (Last 30 days, all aircraft)
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: North American
Registration: N16JG
Model/Series: AT-6C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Year of Manufacture: 1942
Amateur Built:
Airworthiness Certificate: Normal
Serial Number: 26912
Landing Gear Type: Retractable - Tailwheel
Seats: 2
Date/Type of Last Inspection: November 9, 2021 Annual
Certified Max Gross Wt.: 5300 lbs
Time Since Last Inspection: 10 Hrs
Engines: 1 Reciprocating
Airframe Total Time: 7670 Hrs as of last inspection
Engine Manufacturer: P&W
ELT: C91 installed, not activated
Engine Model/Series: R1340-AN1
Registered Owner:
Rated Power: 600 Horsepower
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: KSSF,571 ft msl
Distance from Accident Site: 0 Nautical Miles
Observation Time: 09:41 Local
Direction from Accident Site: 338°
Lowest Cloud Condition: Clear
Visibility 10 miles
Lowest Ceiling: None
Visibility (RVR):
Wind Speed/Gusts: 5 knots / 0 knots
Turbulence Type Forecast/Actual: /
Wind Direction: 320°
Turbulence Severity Forecast/Actual: /
Altimeter Setting: 30.24 inches Hg
Temperature/Dew Point: 8°C / -10°C
Precipitation and Obscuration: No Obscuration; No Precipitation
Departure Point: San Antonio, TX (SSF)
Type of Flight Plan Filed:
Destination: San Antonio, TX
Type of Clearance: VFR
Departure Time: 08:20 Local
Type of Airspace: Class D
Airport Information
Airport: Stinson Municipal SSF
Runway Surface Type: Asphalt
Airport Elevation: 578 ft msl
Runway Surface Condition: Dry
Runway Used: 32
IFR Approach: None
Runway Length/Width: 4128 ft / 100 ft
VFR Approach/Landing: Full stop; Traffic pattern
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: 29.336981,-98.471044
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Accident Number: CEN22LA101
Date and Time: January 16, 2022, 09:23 Local
Registration: N16JG
Aircraft: North American AT-6C
Injuries: 2 None
Flight Conducted Under: Part 91: General aviation - Personal
Aircraft and Owner/Operator Information
Aircraft Make: North American
Registration: N16JG
Model/Series: AT-6C
Aircraft Category: Airplane
Amateur Built:
Operator:
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: 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: 29.336981,-98.471044
Hard to tell from the angle in the first shot what happened and if it is sliding sideways into the wing on the ground. But based on the debris cloud it was. Hopefully the spar wasn't damaged beyond repair.
ReplyDeleteBeen seeing Texan gear collapse events quite a bit lately. Wondering if some are not getting locked down or some have been folding from ground loop onset.
ReplyDeleteAt least the prop wasn't damaged. Ego... not so much!
ReplyDelete