# NTSB ATL90LA003: North American AT-6D, N350HT, Albemarle, NC, October 2, 1989

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 2, 1989, 15:30 local (19:30 UTC)
- Place: Albemarle, NC
- Coordinates: 35.360168, -80.189125 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.3602&lon=-80.1891&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report June 25, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8164
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA003
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8164/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA003

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL OF THE AIRPLANE.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - rudder - excessive, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with object, landing - aborted
  - object - tree(s)
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

THE PILOT REPORTED THAT DURING A PRACTICE LANDING THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO DRIFT TO THE LEFT. A CORRECTION WAS APPLIED BUT HE OVER CORRECTED AND THE AIRPLANE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. WHEN HE BECAME AWARE THAT THE AIRPLANE WOULD LEAVE THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HARD SURFACE RUNWAY, THE PILOT ATTEMPTED TO TAKE OFF AGAIN. THE AIRPLANE BECAME AIRBORNE HEADING AT A 45 DEGREE ANGLE AWAY FROM THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. A PINE TREE WAS HIT WITH THE LEFT WING TIP, THE AIRPLANE STALLED, AND HIT THE GROUND. THE WING CENTER SECTION BROKE AWAY FROM THE AIRPLANE AT IMPACT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N350HT](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N350HT), registered now, S/N 43756, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6D
- Registry model: [North American AT-6D](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-at-6d) (registry code 6400416) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 43756
- Airframe hours: 7886
- Engines: P&W R-1340 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Thomas H. North, Jr.
- Registered owner: Thomas, Herbert N Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 7, 1988
- Airport: 6A6, Stanly Co., runway 4, 4,700 × 100 ft, asphalt

## 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: rear; flight hours: 10,150 total, 300 in this make and model, 7,107 as pilot in command, 90 in the last 90 days, 70 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 10° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 3,000 ft broken
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 64 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: HKY, 50 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 19891002038749A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19891002038749A), Oct 2, 1989: Namer AT6D, Albermarle, NC, Substantial damage. Overcorrected a swerve on landing,ran off runway,began go around but a wing hit a tree. Aircraft stalled,crashed.

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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