# NTSB CHI83FA347: North American AT-6D, N29938, Muskegon, MI, August 2, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1983, 20:50 local (Aug 2, 1983, 00:50 UTC)
- Place: Muskegon, MI
- Coordinates: 43.289749, -86.289588 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2897&lon=-86.2896&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal, 2 serious
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 12007
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI83FA347
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/12007/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI83FA347

## Sequence of events

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

- In flight collision with terrain/water, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - judgment - not used, pilot in command (cause)
  - proper altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

THE ACFT COLLIDED WITH TREES AFTER PERFORMING AN AEROBATIC MANEUVER AT LOW ALTITUDE. WITNESSES NEAR THE SCENE SAID THE ACFT WAS FLYING LOW; MOST HEARD THE ENGINE RUNNING.SOME SAID THAT AT THE TOP OF A LOOP THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT STOPPED. ON THE DESCENT FOLLOWING THE LOOP THE ACFT MADE ABOUT 2 ROLLS TO THE RIGHT AND LEVELED OFF. THEN A CRASH WASHEARD. A SINGLE WITNESS SAW THE ACFT ABOUT 50 FT ABOVE THE TREES. HE HEARD THE ENGINE ROAR AND SAW THE ACFT BANK ABOUT 45 DEGREES TO THE LEFT THEN COLLIDED WITH THE TREES. HE SAID THE ACFT HAD 'GOOD SPEED.' NO EVIDENCE OF FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF THE ACFT WAS FOUND DURING THE INVESTIGATION. THE BACK SEAT ADULT PASSENGER SAID THE ACFT PERFORMED WELL.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29938](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N29938-1991-03-25), registration cancelled 1991-03-25, S/N 493215 (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)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49-3215
- Airframe hours: 8136
- Engines: P&W R1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: T. P. Balch & M. G. Quesnell
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 25, 1983, 20 hours before
- Departed: OSH, OSHKOSH, WI
- Destination: 6D6, GREENVILLE, MI

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 422 total, 84 in this make and model, 377 as pilot in command, 26 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 310° at 6 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F, dew point 63 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: MKG, 5 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 19830801036899A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19830801036899A), Aug 1, 1983: Namer AT6D, Muskegon, MI, Destroyed. Spun into trees while performing low level acrobatics.

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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