# NTSB CHI94LA148: North American T-6G, N3715G, Prairie Du Sac, WI, May 5, 1994 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 5, 1994, 17:00 local (22:00 UTC) - Place: Prairie Du Sac, WI - Coordinates: 43.290641, -89.719161 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.2906&lon=-89.7192&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: Minor injuries - Injuries: 1 minor - Status: Completed, report December 7, 1994 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 9519 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI94LA148 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/9519/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI94LA148 ## Probable cause inadequate compensation for wind conditions which resulted in a failure to maintain directional control. Factors associated with the accident were the crosswind conditions and the soft terrain. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor) - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause) - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll - terrain condition - soft (contributing factor) - Nose over, landing - roll ## Analysis THE PILOT STATED HE CIRCLED THE AIRPORT THEN MADE A LOW PASS PRIOR TO LANDING ON RUNWAY 18. HE STATED THAT DURING THE LANDING ROLL AS THE TAILWHEEL WAS SETTLING, THE AIRPLANE BEGAN TO GROUND LOOP TO THE RIGHT. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE GROUND LOOP; HOWEVER, THE AIRPLANE TRAVELED INTO A FRESHLY PLOWED FIELD THERE THE MAIN GEAR DUG INTO THE TERRAIN AND THE AIRPLANE NOSED OVER. ## Factual narrative On May 5, 1994, at 1700 central daylight time, a North American T-6G, N3715G, operated by Richard P. James, nosed over after traveling into rough terrain while landing on runway 18 (2,940' x 32') at the Sauk Prairie Airport, Prairie Du Sac, Wisconsin, while on a personal flight. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was substantially damaged and the pilot received minor injuries. The flight originated from Boscobel, Wisconsin, on May 5, 1994, at 1640 cdt. The pilot stated he circled the airport and noticed a "definite" crosswind from the west at 12 to 15 knots. He stated he then made one low pass and was able to maintain the runway heading using 2/3 of the available rudder control so he decided to land using full flaps. The pilot stated he touched down on the main gear and as the tailwheel began to settle, a "right swerve rapidly developed." The pilot stated he stopped the ground loop using left rudder and brake along with power; however, the airplane was headed toward a freshly plowed field next to the runway. The airplane traveled into the field where the main gear dug into the soft terrain and the airplane nosed over. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3715G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3715G), registered now, S/N 49-2898 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN T-6G - Registry model: [North American AT-6G](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-at-6g) (registry code 6400434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 492898 - Airframe hours: 8350 - Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Richard P. James - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal; Special, Provisional (Special) - Last inspection: Annual, April 10, 1994, 4 hours before - Departed: 47C, BOSCOBEL, WI - Airport: 91C, Sauk-Prairie, runway 18, 2,940 × 32 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 2,120 total, 435 in this make and model, 4 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 12 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 9,500 ft broken - Temperature: 54 °F, dew point 34 °F - Altimeter: 29.00 inHg - Observed at: MSN, 21 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 19940505010079A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19940505010079A), May 5, 1994: Namer AT6G, Prairie Du Sac, WI, Substantial damage. Overran runway after stopping a ground loop. Went into plowed field. Nosed over. 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.