# NTSB ERA17CA149: North American T 6G, N3167G, Culpepper, VA, April 8, 2017 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: April 8, 2017, 13:40 local (17:40 UTC) - Place: Culpepper, VA - Coordinates: 38.525554, -77.859725 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=38.5256&lon=-77.8597&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 1 serious, 1 minor - Status: Completed, report October 31, 2017 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 94975 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA17CA149 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/94975/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94975 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA17CA149 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain airplane and directional control during the landing roll and subsequent go-around in gusting wind conditions. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [North American T-6G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=6400432), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: directional control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Not attained/maintained (probable cause); cases with it: [North American T-6G, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=6400432), [All aircraft, 3,958 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [North American T-6G, 5 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=6400432), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing-landing roll: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [North American T-6G, 6 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=6400432), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-aborted after touchdown: Dragged wing/rotor/float/other](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093); cases with it: [North American T-6G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md?model=6400432), [All aircraft, 319 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/093/sequence.md) - [Landing-flare/touchdown: Nose over/nose down](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096); cases with it: [North American T-6G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md?model=6400432), [All aircraft, 2,287 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/096/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot stated that, after a thorough preflight inspection and passenger briefing, he started the engine and noted that there was an 80° left crosswind at 5 knots, gusting to 15 knots. He performed an engine run-up, checked the flight controls, and then departed to fly around the local area for about 20 minutes. He then returned to the departure airport, and because the airplane was only equipped with a single radio and there was traffic congestion, he did not monitor the weather or ask for a wind check. He performed a "high break" at traffic pattern altitude, and while on final approach with the flaps fully extended, he maintained a left-wing-low attitude to correct for the left crosswind. He performed a wheel landing, but as the tailwheel was lowering, the left wing raised "dramatically," and the right wingtip contacted the runway. He added power to abort the landing, but because the right wing was contacting the runway, the airplane pivoted to the right. The airplane went off the right side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot reported that there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The reported wind conditions about 5 minutes before the accident included a variable crosswind between 80° and 170° left of the selected runway heading at 8 knots, gusting to 16 knots. ## Factual narrative The pilot stated that after a thorough preflight inspection and passenger briefing, he started the engine and noted that there was an 80° left crosswind at 5 kts, with gusts to 15 kts. He performed an engine run-up and checked the flight controls, then departed to fly around the local area for about 20 minutes. He then returned to the departure airport, and because the airplane was only equipped with a single radio and traffic congestion, he did not monitor the weather or ask for a wind check. He performed a "high break" at traffic pattern altitude and while on final approach with the flaps fully extended, he maintained a left wing low attitude to correct for the left crosswind. He performed a wheel landing, but as the tailwheel was lowering, the left wing raised "dramatically" and the right wingtip contacted the runway. He added power to abort the landing, but because the right wing was contacting the runway, the airplane pivoted to the right. The airplane went off the right side of the runway and nosed over. The pilot indicated there were no preimpact mechanical failures or malfunctions of the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. The reported wind conditions about 5 minutes before the accident included a crosswind that was variable between 80° and 170° left of the selected runway heading, at a velocity of 8 kts, with gusts to 16kts. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N3167G](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N3167G), registered now, S/N 49-3272 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN T 6G (G) - Registry model: [North American T-6G](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-t-6g) (registry code 6400432) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 49-3272 - Year built: 1949 - Airframe hours: 8875 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, March 28, 2017, 25 hours before - Departed: CJR, Culpeper, VA - Destination: CJR, Culpeper, VA - Airport: CJR, Culpeper Regional Airport, runway 4, 5,000 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic flight bag or handheld device ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 56; injuries: minor; private; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 24, 2016; seat: front; restraint: 5-point; flight hours: 1,951 total, 359 in this make and model, 1,872 as pilot in command, 72 in the last 90 days, 45 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 290° at 8 knots, gusting 16 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 63 °F, dew point 27 °F - Altimeter: 30.01 inHg - Turbulence: Light - Observed at: CJR ## 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 20170408005599A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20170408005599A), Apr 8, 2017: North American T-6G, Culpeper, VA, Destroyed. On April 8, 2017 at approximately 1330L, the pilot of a T-6A aircraft was attempting to conduct a full stop landing on rwy 04 at Culpeper Regional Airport. The… ## Other investigations on N3167G (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 NYC91LA253](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/NYC91LA253), Sep 29, 1991: North American T-6G (N3167G), Manchester, NH, substantial damage. Probable cause: THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL. A FACTOR WAS THE UNFORECASTED STRONG CROSS WINDS. ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 2, 2017, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=94975. 3.4 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 2.5 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456736&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of NTSB Conversation (item 2, .PDF, 125 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456737&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20NTSB%20Conversation-Master.PDF - Weather Reports and Records (item 3, .PDF, 55 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456738&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Weather%20Reports%20and%20Records-Master.PDF - Investigative Photographs (Provided by FAA) (item 4, .PDF, 4 photos, 704 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40456739&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Investigative%20Photographs%20(Provided%20by%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.