# NTSB ERA12CA492: Fairchild M-62A, N53953, Albion, NY, July 25, 2012 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: July 25, 2012, 14:00 local (18:00 UTC) - Place: Albion, NY - Coordinates: 43.178611, -78.271385 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=43.1786&lon=-78.2714&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report November 5, 2012 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA Rodchetster FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 84533 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA12CA492 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/84533/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84533 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA12CA492 ## Probable cause The pilot’s failure to maintain directional control while taking off in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=3371604), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: use of equip/system](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md?model=3371604), [All aircraft, 1,391 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063015/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Response/compensation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=3371604), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=3371604), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Attempted remediation/recovery](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md?model=3371604), [All aircraft, 1,422 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/060/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=3371604), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff the airplane veered to the left due to a gust of wind. The pilot attempted to realign the airplane with the runway centerline but was unsuccessful and landed in a soybean field. Postaccident examination revealed substantial damage to the airplane firewall and engine mounts. The pilot reported a quartering tailwind about the time of the accident. The examination showed no evidence of preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane, and the pilot did not report any. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that shortly after takeoff the airplane veered to the left due to a gust of wind. The pilot attempted to realign the airplane with the runway centerline, but was unsuccessful and collided in a soybean field. The pilot reported a quartering tailwind about the time of the accident. Meteorological reports from a nearby airport indicated winds out of 210 degrees at 6 knots roughly 6 minutes prior to the accident. Post-accident examination revealed substantial damage to the airplane firewall and engine mounts. The examination showed no evidence of preexisting mechanical anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane, and the pilot did not report any. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53953](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N53953), registered now, S/N T41-1342, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD M-62A - Registry model: [Fairchild M-62A](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-m-62a) (registry code 3371604) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Fairchild 6-440 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/fairchild-6-440-series) (registry code 26003, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: T41-1342 - Airframe hours: 1865 - Engines: FAIRCHILD 6-440 SERIES 200 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, September 5, 2011 - Departed: 9G6, Albion, NY - Destination: 9G6, Albion, NY - Airport: 9G6, Pine Hill Airport, runway 28, 2,659 × 36 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 77; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, with waivers/limitations; last flight review September 30, 2010; seat: left; flight hours: 414 total, 82 in this make and model, 6 in the last 90 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 221° at 6 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: 25,000 ft broken - Temperature: 82 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 29.92 inHg - Observed at: KBUF, 25 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 20120725015429A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20120725015429A), Jul 25, 2012: Fairchild M-62A, Albion, NY, Substantial damage. The PIC stated that this was a local flight and he was taking his granddaughter for a flight. The PIC stated that shortly after passing the windsock, he… ## Other investigations on N53953 (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 WPR26LA252](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR26LA252), Jul 5, 2026: Fairchild M-62A (N53953), Greenleaf, ID, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s failure to maintain proper airspeed during approach and his exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Docket (7 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 7, 2012, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=84533. 3.3 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 1.3 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374927&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Record of Conversation - Pilot (item 2, .PDF, 51 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375215&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Conversation%20-%20Pilot-Master.PDF - Memorandum for Record (FAA Airworthiness Inspector) (item 3, .PDF, 61 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375173&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Memorandum%20for%20Record%20(FAA%20Airworthiness%20Inspector)-Master.PDF - FAA insepctors Statement (item 4, .PDF, 60 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375146&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=FAA%20insepctors%20Statement-Redacted.PDF - Albion (BUF) Meteorological Observations (item 5, .PDF, 90 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40374923&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Albion%20(BUF)%20Meteorological%20Observations-Master.PDF - Photo 1 - Overview of Wreckage (Courtesy of FAA) (item 6, .PDF, 1.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375060&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Overview%20of%20Wreckage%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - View of Airplane Engine Compartment (Courtesy of FAA) (item 7, .PDF, 121 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40375062&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20View%20of%20Airplane%20Engine%20Compartment%20(Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.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.