# NTSB ATL90FA158: North American T-6G, N9871C, Locust Grove, GA, August 11, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 11, 1990, 12:30 local (16:30 UTC)
- Place: Locust Grove, GA
- Coordinates: 33.339843, -84.099945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.3398&lon=-84.0999&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 2 fatal
- Status: Completed, report November 23, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8147
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90FA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8147/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90FA158

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT, ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE TO STALL WITHOUT SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - pull-up - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - stall - encountered, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - aircraft control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A STEEP, NOSE HIGH, LEFT TURN. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT HE (THE PILOT) 'HONKED IT UP' AND 'REALLY YANKED IT BACK'. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 300 TO 400 FEET AGL, THE WINGS LEVELED, 'WAGGED', AND THE AIRPLANE THEN ROLLED INTO THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN TOPPED WITH FUEL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. ALL WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ALL THE WAY TO GROUND IMPACT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N9871C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N9871C), registered now, S/N 49-3030A, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN T-6G
- Registry model: [North American T-6G](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-t-6g) (registry code 6400432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49-3030A
- Airframe hours: 6051
- Engines: P&W 1340 660 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Zack B. Hinton, Jr.
- Airport: GA04, Mallard'S Landing, runway 7, 2,800 × 100 ft, grass/turf

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 43; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 7,610 total, 500 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 15 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 84 °F, dew point 59 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ATL, 320 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 19900811033129A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900811033129A), Aug 11, 1990: Namer T6G, Locust Grove, GA, Destroyed, 2 fatal. Pulled up steeply after takeoff. Stalled impacted trees and burned.

## Other investigations on N9871C (1)

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.

- [NTSB ATL88LA129](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL88LA129), Apr 2, 1988: North American T-6G (N9871C), Stockbridge, GA, substantial damage

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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