# NTSB DEN90LA081: North American AT-6G, N426DB, Grand Junction, CO, March 28, 1990

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: March 28, 1990, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC)
- Place: Grand Junction, CO
- Coordinates: 39.07917, -108.54943 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.0792&lon=-108.5494&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 15, 1992
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 17909
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN90LA081
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/17909/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN90LA081

## Probable cause

THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT A SWERVE DURING LANDING ROLL.

## 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 - gusts (contributing factor)
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - not corrected, pilot in command (cause)
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

THE COMMERCIAL PILOT MADE A LANDING ON RUNWAY 11, WITH WINDS HE ESTIMATED WERE 210 DEGREES AT 19 GUSTING TO 29 KNOTS. HE SAID THAT DURING LANDING ROLL, THE PLANE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. HE ADDED POWER TO ATTEMPT TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, TO NO AVAIL. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR LEG SNAPPED AND THE PLANE GROUND LOOPED TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO REST NOSE DOWN. THE RIGHT WING, COWLING, AND BOTH MAIN LANDING GEAR WERE DAMAGED. THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER VERIFIED THAT THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 30 KNOTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N426DB (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6G
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49-3292
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Dorr H. Burns
- Registered owner: Unknown
- Departed: CNY, MOAB, UT
- Destination: GJT
- Airport: GJT, Walker Field, runway 11, 10,500 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; flight hours: 5,000 total, 400 in this make and model, 5,000 as pilot in command, 10 in the last 90 days, 4 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 210° at 19 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -0 °F, dew point -0 °F

## 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 19900328009969A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19900328009969A), Mar 28, 1990: Namer AT6G, Grand Junction, CO, Substantial damage. Ground looped on landing in a strong gusty crosswind damaged gear and wing.

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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