# NTSB CEN22LA003: Boeing PT-17, N4106Y, Winnie, TX, October 2, 2021 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: October 2, 2021, 11:05 local (16:05 UTC) - Place: Winnie, TX - Coordinates: 29.820221, -94.384078 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=29.8202&lon=-94.3841&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Central Region - Parties: FAA FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 104041 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CEN22LA003 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/104041/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104041 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CEN22LA003 ## Probable cause The pilot’s decision to takeoff from a road with obstacles in his flight path and his failure to maintain control of the airplane when encountering changing winds from approaching thunderstorms which resulted in the airplane impacting signal light cables. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Action: unnecessary action](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045): Personnel issues › Action/decision · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 52 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02041045/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: descent/approach/glide path](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 809 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062040/cases.md) - [Wind: downdraft](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on equipment (probable cause); cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 178 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034035/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Windshear or thunderstorm](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390); cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 224 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/390/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Initial climb: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Boeing PT-17, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=1380136), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while taking off from a road, the airplane encountered a sudden wind shift which after becoming airborne caused the airplane to settle. As the airplane approached power lines above a road signal light and cables, the pilot decided to fly under the power lines. During the descent, the airplane impacted the signal light cables. The airplane yawed to the left, struck the ground, and nosed over into a ditch on the side of the road coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. In his NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot reported that he put pressure on himself to fly the airplane to shelter due to approaching thunderstorms and would not recommend second guessing any approaching weather conditions. He stated that the abrupt wind changes from possible downdrafts were factors in the airplane’s inability to clear the obstacles in its flight path. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N4106Y](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4106Y), registered now, S/N 75-7018, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: BOEING PT-17 - Registry model: [Boeing PT-17](https://openairdocs.org/model/boeing-pt-17) (registry code 1380136) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 75-7018 - Year built: 1942 - Airframe hours: 4035 - Engines: CONT MOTOR W670 SERIES 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, August 5, 2021 ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 55; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, without waivers/limitations; last flight review November 1, 2020; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 2,800 total, 317 in this make and model, 10 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 110° at 5 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 7,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 75 °F - Altimeter: 30.06 inHg - Observed at: KBMT, 17 nm away - METAR: KBMT 021555Z AUTO 11005KT 10SM BKN070 OVC085 28/24 A3006 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW T02810242 ## 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 20211002016619A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20211002016619A), Oct 2, 2021: Boeing PT-17, Winnie, TX, Substantial damage. The PIC influenced by the encroachment of approaching thunder storms, a field, normally utilized for this event, was flooded, and the possibility of damage to… ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 16, 2021, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=104041. 2.8 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 9 pages, 660 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12800679&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=NTSB%20Form%206120%20Pilot%20Operator%20Report_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photo array CEN22LA003 (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 2.1 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=12801376&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%20Array%20CEN22LA003_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.