# NTSB CEN16TA194: North American AT6, N757LF, Mason, MI, May 18, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Final report - Date: May 18, 2016, 15:20 local (19:20 UTC) - Place: Mason, MI - Coordinates: 42.569999, -84.419998 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.5700&lon=-84.4200&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report December 16, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93238 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN16TA194 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93238/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93238 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN16TA194 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [North American AT-6D, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=6400416), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [North American AT-6D, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=6400416), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [North American AT-6D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=6400416), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Terrain: sloped/uneven terrain](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [North American AT-6D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md?model=6400416), [All aircraft, 270 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03021017/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [North American AT-6D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=6400416), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [North American AT-6D, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=6400416), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [North American AT-6D, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=6400416), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [North American AT-6D, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=6400416), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [North American AT-6D, 4 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=6400416), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [North American AT-6D, 7 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=6400416), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The commercial pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on runway 10, the airplane encountered a wind shift and gust. He stated that he added aileron flight control input to "counteract the wind shift" but that the airplane "veered/looped" to the left, exited the runway, and continued into a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing structure. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 14 minutes after the accident, wind was from 00° at 5 knots, gusting to 14 knots. Given the evidence, the pilot likely lost directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions. ## Factual narrative On May 18, 2016, about 1520 eastern daylight time, a tail-wheel equipped North American AT-6D, N757LF, departed the left side of the runway while landing at Mason Jewett Field Airport (TEW), Mason, Michigan. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left-wing structure. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. The airplane was registered to and operated by a private individual under the provisions of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 as a personal flight. Day visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the flight, and no flight plan was filed. The flight originated from the Brooks Field Airport (RMY), Marshall, Michigan, at 1455 was destined for TEW. The pilot reported that he checked the automated weather report at TEW while about 10 miles from the airport, and again on short final for landing. He said both times the weather report stated the winds were from 090º at 6 kts, favoring runway 10. The airplane touched down normally on runway 10, prior to the 1,000-ft markers on the runway. On rollout, prior to the halfway point of 2,000 ft, there was a wind shift, and he encountered a gust of wind in a "northerly direction." He added aileron flight control input to "counteract the wind shift" but the airplane "veered/looped" to the left. The airplane exited the left side of the runway and came to rest in a drainage ditch near the runway. At 1514, the automated weather observation system (AWOS) at TEW reported wind from 040º at 5 kts, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 6,500 ft, temperature 17ºC, dew point 2ºC, and barometric altimeter setting 30.19 inches of mercury. At 1534, the AWOS at TEW reported wind from 010º at 5 kts, gusting 14 kts, visibility 10 miles, scattered clouds at 6,500 ft, temperature 16ºC, dew point 2ºC, and barometric altimeter setting 30.19 inches of mercury. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. He stated the accident flight was his 2nd hour of flight time in the accident airplane. He was "still getting a feel for the airplane, especially how it reacted in different wind conditions." He said more time in the accident airplane would have helped to prevent the accident. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N757LF](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N757LF), registered now, S/N 84991, built 1944 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT6 (D) - 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: 84991 - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 9343 - Engines: Pratt and Whitney R-1340-51171 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 8, 2015 - Departed: RMY, Marshall, MI - Destination: TEW, Mason, MI - Airport: TEW, Mason Jewett Field, runway 10, 4,004 × 75 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 12, 2016; seat: front; flight hours: 25,581 total, 89 in this make and model, 22,082 as pilot in command, 6 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 40° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 36 °F - Altimeter: 30.19 inHg - Observed at: KTEW ## 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 20160518004679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20160518004679A), May 18, 2016: North American AT-6D, Mason, MI, Substantial damage. On landing rollout PIC did not make proper corrections when aircraft weathervaned in the crosswind. Landed rwy 10, winds variable from North-northeast at 7.… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 19, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93238. 1.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 450 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475963&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Site Photos (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 720 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475964&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Site%20Photos-Master.PDF - Weather Information (item 3, .PDF, 115 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40475965&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Information-Master.PDF 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.