# NTSB CEN21FA355: North American T-6G, N7197C, Starkville, MS, August 4, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Fatal · Class 3 · Field · Final report - Date: August 4, 2021, 15:20 local (20:20 UTC) - Place: Starkville, MS - Coordinates: 33.51525, -88.689389 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.5153&lon=-88.6894&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) - Highest injury: Fatal - Injuries: 2 fatal - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 103632 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN21FA355 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/103632/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103632 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN21FA355 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain clearance from trees while maneuvering at low altitude. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Attention/monitoring: monitoring environment](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545): Personnel issues › Psychological · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [North American T-6G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md?model=6400432), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02021545/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: altitude](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [North American T-6G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md?model=6400432), [All aircraft, 1,310 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062012/cases.md) - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Contributed to outcome (probable cause); cases with it: [North American T-6G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=6400432), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Maneuvering-low-alt flying: Low altitude operation/event](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220) (defining event); cases with it: [North American T-6G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md?model=6400432), [All aircraft, 780 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/220/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot was conducting a series of low-level maneuvers when the accident occurred. The airplane subsequently impacted trees and terrain. A postaccident examination revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. Although ethanol was detected in the pilot’s cavity blood, no ethanol was detected in the pilot’s vitreous specimens. Because vitreous specimens are generally less susceptible to contamination and postmortem microbial ethanol production than other specimen types, the absence of detectable ethanol in the pilot’s vitreous specimens indicated that the detected ethanol in the pilot’s cavity blood was likely from sources other than consumption and was thus not a factor in the accident. ## Factual narrative On August 4, 2021, about 1520 central daylight time, a North American T6G airplane, N7197C, was destroyed when it was involved in an accident near Starkville, Mississippi. The pilot and passenger were fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of air traffic control (ATC) radar track data revealed that the airplane departed runway 36 at McCharen Field Airport (M83), West Point, Mississippi; continued toward the south southwest; and performed a series of maneuvers near the accident site. The final radar return was recorded about 1518; at that time, the airplane was located about 0.15 miles west of the accident site. The pilot was not in contact with an ATC facility during the flight. A witness saw the airplane operating overhead at a low altitude. The witness stated that the airplane made three passes and was “low” over trees. The witness’ boyfriend, who was at the same location, recorded two video clips of the airplane. A review of the video clips showed the airplane briefly as it passed overhead at a low altitude (just above the trees). The video clips also showed that the airplane was trailing smoke from an installed smoke system. The Mississippi State Medical Examiner’s Office, Pearl, Mississippi, performed an autopsy of the pilot. His cause of death was blunt force injuries. The Federal Aviation Administration Forensic Sciences Laboratory performed toxicological testing on specimens from the pilot. Ethanol was detected at 0.046 g/dL in his cavity blood but not in his vitreous specimens. Detected ethanol can be the result of consumption or postmortem microbial ethanol production. Damage to the airplane at the accident site was consistent with the airplane striking the trees at a steep angle before impacting terrain. The main wreckage was located near the airplane’s initial impact point, which was on a heading of about 105°. The wreckage was confined to an area near the impact point. The on-site examination was limited due to impact damage to the airplane. The engine separated from the airframe and, along with the propeller, was partially buried under dirt. Both wings displayed accordion crushing along their wingspan. Cable continuity was confirmed from the empennage to the cockpit. However, control tubes beneath the front and rear cockpit areas were heavily damaged from the impact. Postaccident examination of the airframe and engines revealed no mechanical malfunctions or anomalies that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N7197C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N7197C-2022-05-09), registration cancelled 2022-05-09, S/N 49-2897, built 1946 (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: 49-2897 - Year built: 1946 - Engines: P&W R1340 SERIES 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Destroyed - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, October 13, 2020 - Departed: M83, West Point, MS - Airport: M51, Oktibbeha - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 64; injuries: fatal; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, without waivers/limitations; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,505 total, 326 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 340° at 7 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 66 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Observed at: KGTR, 7 nm away - METAR: KGTR 042056Z 34007KT 10SM CLR 31/19 A3000 RMK AO2 SLP164 6//// T03110189 56009 PNO $ ## 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 20210804017289A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20210804017289A), Aug 4, 2021: North American T-6G, Starkville, MS, Substantial damage, 2 fatal. 8/04/2021 2100Z 1600CST, event id: 676574, a North American T-6G, N7197C, was substantially damaged when it impacted wooded terrain approximately one mile… ## Other investigations on N7197C (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 DEN03LA016](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN03LA016), Nov 17, 2002: North American T-6G (N7197C), Elbert, CO, substantial damage. Probable cause: overload failure of the cable between the left rudder pedal and the tail wheel, rendering directional control impossible and resulting in an inadvertent ground loop and nose over. Contributing… ## Docket (12 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on March 29, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=103632. 13.0 MB in all. - Site overview (item 1, PDF, 1 page, 363 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13076310&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Overview-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination (item 2, PDF, 3 pages, 198 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15037770&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=AIRFRAME%20AND%20ENGINE%20EXAMINATION%20t-6%20texan-Rel.pdf - Global positioning system (GPS) report (item 3, PDF, 8 pages, 1.4 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12851122&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=cen21fa355%20gps%20report--final-Rel.pdf - Attachment 1 to global positioning system (GPS) factual report (item 4, CSV, 7 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12851205&FileExtension=csv&FileName=cen21fa355_attachment1-Rel.csv - Pilot record (excerpts) (item 5, PDF, 10 pages, 726 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13075316&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Pilot%20log-Rel.pdf - Memo (item 6, PDF, 1 page, 192 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13076985&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo-Rel.pdf - Airplane flight path (item 7, PDF, 3 pages, 1.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13075707&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Flightpath-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 8, PDF, 3 pages, 8.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13075522&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201-Rel.pdf - Maintenance records (excerpts) (item 9, PDF, 2 pages, 230 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13076111&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=mx%20records_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Medical factual report (item 10, PDF, 2 pages, 222 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=13886045&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=CEN21FA355_MedicalFactualReport-Rel.pdf - Toxicological report (item 11, PDF, 1 page, 176 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15054926&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Toxicology_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Release of aircraft wreckage, NTSB form 6120.15 (item 12, PDF, 1 page, 99 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=15055158&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Signed%20Wreckage%20Release_Redacted-Rel.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.