# NTSB ATL90LA078: North American T-6 G, N96143, Albany, GA, March 9, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 9, 1990, 13:20 local (18:20 UTC)
- Place: Albany, GA
- Location: 31.5355° N, 84.1945° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at SOUTHWEST GEORGIA RGNL (ABY), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.5355&lon=-84.1945&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 28, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 8216
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL90LA078
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/8216/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL90LA078

## Probable cause

A LOCKED BRAKE WHICH PREVENTED THE PILOT FROM MAINTAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLL. THE BRAKE MATERIAL EXPANDED AFTER BECOMING WATER SOAKED WHILE TAXIING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - flare/touchdown
  - landing gear,normal brake system - locked (cause)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - soaked (cause)
  - landing gear,normal brake system - water (cause)
  - weather condition - rain (contributing factor)

## Analysis

WHILE ATTEMPTING A FULL STOP LANDING, THE PILOT LOST DIRECTIONAL CONTROL WHEN THE LEFT BRAKE ASSEMBLY LOCKED AT TOUCHDOWN. THE AIRPLANE GROUND LOOPED AND VEERED OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY. THE PILOT REPORTED EXPERIENCING A LOCKED LEFT BRAKE WHICH PREVENTED HIM FROM REGAINING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL. THE PILOT CONTENDED AFTER SOME RESEARCH THAT THE POOL OF WATER WHICH HE TAXIIED THROUGH WHILE TAXIING FOR TAKEOFF FROM GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI CAUSED THE BRAKE MATERIAL TO EXPAND ABOUT .090 INCHES. NORMAL CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE DRUM AND THE BRAKE MATERIAL IS .010 INCHES. THIS EXPANSION CAUSED THE LEFT BRAKE TO LOCK, PREVENTING THE WHEEL FROM ROLLING FREELY.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N96143](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N96143), registered now, S/N 49-2950, built 1949 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN T-6 G
- 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: 49-49250
- Engines: P&W R 1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: James Vernon Ricks, Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 27, 1989, 40 hours before
- Departed: GWO, GREENWOOD, MS
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: ABY, Southwest Ga Reg., runway 16, 5,200 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 59; airline transport; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 11,707 total, 2,200 in this make and model, 11,650 as pilot in command, 25 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 165° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 6 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: 2,500 ft broken
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 52 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ABY

## 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 19900309003829A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900309003829A), Mar 9, 1990: Namer T6G, Albany, GA, Substantial damage. Bounced 40 feet high on landing. Came back down,lost control and ground looped off runway. Blamed brake,unconfirmed.

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.

---
OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.