# NTSB GAA16CA429: Consolidated Vultee BT13, N53331, Joseph, OR, August 13, 2016 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 13, 2016, 14:20 local (21:20 UTC) - Place: Joseph, OR - Coordinates: 45.357223, -117.253334 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.3572&lon=-117.2533&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: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed, report September 12, 2016 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 93833 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA16CA429 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/93833/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93833 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA16CA429 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and damage to the left aileron and elevator. ## 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: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2420224), [All aircraft, 3,969 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: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13A, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2420224), [All aircraft, 9,308 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: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2420224), [All aircraft, 4,590 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2420224), [All aircraft, 3,656 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Landing-landing roll: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13A, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2420224), [All aircraft, 1,789 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll he lost directional control, which resulted in a ground loop to the left, a runway excursion, both main landing gear collapse, and substantial damage to the airplane's left aileron and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel equipped airplane reported that during the landing roll he lost directional control, which resulted in a ground loop to the left, a runway excursion, both main landing gear collapse, and substantial damage to the airplane's left aileron and elevator. The pilot reported that there were no pre impact mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N53331](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N53331-2022-02-05), registration cancelled 2022-02-05, S/N 1491, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CONSOLIDATED VULTEE BT13 (A) - Registry model: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13A](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-vultee-bt-13a) (registry code 2420224) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 1491 - Year built: 1941 - Airframe hours: 2788.2 - Engines: P&W R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 8, 2016 - Departed: UAO, AURORA, OR - Destination: JSY, Joseph, OR - Flight plan: VFR - Airport: JSY, Joseph State, runway 33, 5,200 × 60 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 65; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3; seat: front; flight hours: 180 total, 50 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 360° at 4 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 41 °F - Altimeter: 30.12 inHg - Observed at: KLGD, 32 nm away ## Other investigations on N53331 (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 WPR21FA170](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR21FA170), Apr 21, 2021: Consolidated Vultee BT-13A (N53331), Camas, WA, substantial damage, 1 fatal. Probable cause: The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an aborted landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain. ## Docket (2 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on August 25, 2016, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=93833. 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=40443763&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Accident Photos (Courtesy of FAA) (item 2, .PDF, 3 photos, 969 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40443764&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photos%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.