# NTSB ERA14CA320: Fairchild M 62C(PT-23A), N60418, Petersburg, VA, May 22, 2014 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: May 22, 2014, 19:30 local (23:30 UTC) - Place: Petersburg, VA - Coordinates: 37.2, -77.505554 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.2000&lon=-77.5056&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 2, 2014 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 89577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA14CA320 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/89577/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89577 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA14CA320 ## Probable cause The flight instructor's failure to maintain control of the airplane during the landing attempt. Contributing to the accident was the changing wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62C(PT-23A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=3371630), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62C(PT-23A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md?model=3371630), [All aircraft, 1,269 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062000/cases.md) - [Wind: variable wind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62C(PT-23A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md?model=3371630), [All aircraft, 113 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034025/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Loss of control in flight](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240) (defining event); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62C(PT-23A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md?model=3371630), [All aircraft, 5,002 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/240/sequence.md) - [Approach-VFR go-around: Abnormal runway contact](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090); cases with it: [Fairchild M-62C(PT-23A), 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md?model=3371630), [All aircraft, 1,506 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/090/sequence.md) ## Analysis The flight instructor was providing training to the pilot for a tailwheel endorsement in the vintage military training airplane. The pilots described that it was "windy," with the wind generally aligned with the landing runway. Following several uneventful approaches and landings, the pilot was having difficulty controlling the airplane due to the wind, and the flight instructor offered to take control of the airplane and demonstrate a stabilized approach. When the airplane reached about 50 feet above the runway, the wind velocity suddenly decreased and the airplane began descending rapidly. The flight instructor responded by increasing engine power in an attempt to abort the landing; however, the airplane struck the runway and bounced back into the air. The flight instructor then completed an uneventful circuit around the traffic pattern, landed, and returned to the parking area to inspect the airplane for damage. Finding none, the pilot then restarted the airplane and flew another two circuits around the traffic pattern uneventfully. After the pilot returned to the parking area, the flight instructor noted substantial damage to the lower portion of both wings. The pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The flight instructor was providing training to the pilot for a tailwheel endorsement in the vintage military training airplane. The pilots described that it was "windy," with the wind generally aligned with the landing runway. Following several uneventful approaches and landings, the pilot was having difficulty controlling the airplane due to the wind, and the flight instructor offered to take control of the airplane and demonstrate a stabilized approach. When the airplane reached about 50 feet above the runway, the wind velocity suddenly decreased and the airplane began descending rapidly. The flight instructor responded by increasing engine power in an attempt to abort the landing; however, the airplane struck the runway and bounced back into the air. The flight instructor then completed an uneventful circuit around the traffic pattern, landed, and returned to the parking area to inspect the airplane for damage. Finding none, the pilot then restarted the airplane and flew another two circuits around the traffic pattern uneventfully. After the pilot returned to the parking area, the flight instructor noted substantial damage to the lower portion of both wings. The pilots reported that there were no mechanical malfunctions or failures of the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N60418](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N60418-2018-06-26), registration cancelled 2018-06-26, S/N 337SL, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: FAIRCHILD(HOWARD) M 62C(PT-23A) - Registry model: [Fairchild M-62C(PT-23A)](https://openairdocs.org/model/fairchild-m-62c-pt-23a) (registry code 3371630) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Continental W670 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/continental-w670-series) (registry code 17018, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 337SL - Year built: 1943 - Airframe hours: 4830 - Engines: Continental W670 220 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Operator: Warbirds on Revue, Inc. - Registered owner: Virginia Warbirds, LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, December 12, 2013 - Departed: PTB, Petersburg, VA - Destination: PTB, Petersburg, VA - Airport: PTB, Dinwiddie County, runway 23, 5,002 × 100 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 24; injuries: none; airline transport, commercial, flight instructor; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review December 21, 2013; seat: rear; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 1,600 total, 60 in this make and model, 1,550 as pilot in command, 60 in the last 90 days, 25 in the last 30 days, 1 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 68; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review October 18, 2013; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 413 total, 11 in this make and model, 399 as pilot in command, 12 in the last 90 days, 3 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 350° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 88 °F, dew point 64 °F - Altimeter: 29.81 inHg - Observed at: KPTB, 1 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 20140522012219A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20140522012219A), May 22, 2014: Fairchild(Howard) M-62C(PT-23A), Petersburg, VA, Substantial damage. Airplane experienced a hard landing during gusty winds on approach and landing. ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 20, 2014, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=89577. 3.1 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 3.0 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415247&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Redacted.PDF - Photo 1 - Underside of Left Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 44 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415248&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%201%20-%20Underside%20of%20Left%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%20of%20FAA)-Master.PDF - Photo 2 - Damage to Underside of Right Wing (Photo Courtesy of FAA) (item 3, .PDF, 31 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40415249&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Photo%202%20-%20Damage%20to%20Underside%20of%20Right%20Wing%20(Photo%20Courtesy%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.