# NTSB ATL90FA007: Vultee BT-13, N56381, Axis, AL, October 15, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: October 15, 1989, 15:19 local (20:19 UTC)
- Place: Axis, AL
- Coordinates: 30.920051, -88.020248 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.9201&lon=-88.0202&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report June 2, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8099
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8099/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA007

## Probable cause

THE AIRCRAFT INADVERTENTLY ENTERED A STALL, WHEN THE PILOT/PASSENGER HAD A HEART ATTACK.  A FACTOR RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WAS:  LACK OF ALTITUDE FOR THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND TO RECOVER FROM THE STALL.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - maneuver - initiated, pilot passenger
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot passenger (cause)
  - incapacitation(cardiovascular), pilot passenger (cause)
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command
  - altitude - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE REGISTERED OWNER OF THE AIRPLANE & A PILOT RATED FRIEND WERE FLYING LAZY 8 MANEUVERS AT LOW ALTITUDE IN THE NEWLY PURCHASED WWII TRAINER. THE OWNER HAD FLOWN THE AIRPLANE WHILE SERVING IN THE MILITARY & WAS A CURRENT CIVILIAN INSTRUCTOR PILOT. ACCORDING TO A WITNESS, THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A DESCENT, PITCHED UP SHARPLY, THEN ENTERED A 'SPIRAL' THAT CONTINUED UNTIL IMPACT WITH THE GROUND. THE ENGINE WAS REPORTED TO BE OPERATING AT HIGH POWER, WHEN THE AIRPLANE CRASHED. NO PREIMPACT PART FAILURE WAS FOUND. A POST MORTEM EXAM OF THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT (THE PILOT'S FRIEND) REVEALED THAT HE WAS FATALLY INJURED BY BLUNT FORCE INJURIES. HOWEVER, THE EXAM ALSO REVEALED THE FRONT SEAT OCCUPANT HAD 80% (FOCAL) NARROWING OF THE PROXIMAL LEFT ANTERIOR DESCENDING CORONARY ARTERY, WITH ACUTE THROMBOSIS (AGONAL).

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N56381](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N56381-1989-11-21), registration cancelled 1989-11-21, S/N 3432 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: VULTEE BT-13
- Registry model: [Convair BT-13A](https://openairdocs.org/model/convair-bt-13a) (registry code 2420204) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 3432
- Engines: P&W R985 450 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Markward Reynolds

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 66; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, unknown; toxicology performed; flight hours: 12,000 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 120° at 10 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 10,000 ft broken
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F
- Observed at: MOB, 20 nm away

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19891015040229A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891015040229A), Oct 15, 1989: Cvac BT13, Axis, AL, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Stalled and spun in performing lazy 8'S at low altitude. Indicates pilot had heart seizure contributing to crash.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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