# NTSB GAA19CA491: Consolidated Vultee BT13, N62644, Franklin, PA, August 10, 2019 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Data collection · Final report - Date: August 10, 2019, 17:00 local (21:00 UTC) - Place: Franklin, PA - Coordinates: 41.377498, -79.860557 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=41.3775&lon=-79.8606&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 December 2, 2019 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB office: General Aviation Accidents - Parties: FAA - NTSB case key (mKey): 100044 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=GAA19CA491 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/100044/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100044 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA19CA491 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left main landing gear collapsing. ## 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-13, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062020/cases.md?model=2420222), [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: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2420222), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Wind: gusts](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md?model=2420222), [All aircraft, 1,199 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034045/cases.md) - [Wind: crosswind](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040): Environmental issues › Conditions/weather/phenomena · Effect on operation (probable cause); cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md?model=2420222), [All aircraft, 1,008 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03034040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Takeoff: Other weather encounter](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400); cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md?model=2420222), [All aircraft, 1,127 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/400/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Loss of control on ground](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230) (defining event); cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md?model=2420222), [All aircraft, 4,585 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/230/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Runway excursion](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300); cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md?model=2420222), [All aircraft, 3,643 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/300/sequence.md) - [Takeoff: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=2420222), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, the airplane encountered a wind gust and veered left. The airplane exited the runway onto adjacent grass, and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots and variable from 290° to 350°. The airplane was departing from runway 3. ## Factual narrative The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and veered left. The airplane exited the runway onto the adjacent grass and the left main landing gear collapsed. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots and variable from 290° to 350°. The airplane was departing from runway 3. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N62644](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N62644-2020-10-31), registration cancelled 2020-10-31, S/N 79-1287, built 1942 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CONSOLIDATED VULTEE BT13 - Registry model: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-vultee-bt-13) (registry code 2420222) (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: 79-1287 - Year built: 1942 - Airframe hours: 1687.9 - Engines: Pratt & Whitney R-985 SERIES 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, June 1, 2019 - Departed: 3G3, Wadsworth, OH - Destination: FKL, Franklin, PA - Airport: FKL, Venango Rgnl, runway 03, 5,200 × 150 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 71; injuries: none; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: basicmed, with waivers/limitations; last flight review July 19, 2019; seat: front; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 3,000 total, 100 in this make and model, 20 in the last 90 days ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 320° at 8 knots, gusting 17 - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 54 °F - Altimeter: 30.00 inHg - Turbulence: Moderate - Observed at: KFKL ## 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 20190810013669A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20190810013669A), Aug 10, 2019: Consolidated Vultee BT-13, Franklin, PA, Substantial damage. The aircraft was departing runway 03 at kfkl. Winds at that time were from the w/nw at 8G20. During takeoff roll pilot lost control and exited the runway on… ## Docket (4 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on October 3, 2019, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=100044. 1.2 MB in all. - Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 (item 1, .PDF, 834 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476407&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Pilot%2FOperator%20Aircraft%20Accident%20Report,%20NTSB%20Form%206120.1-Master.PDF - Record of Phone Conversation (Pilot) (item 2, .PDF, 94 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476408&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20Phone%20Conversation%20(Pilot)-Master.PDF - Record of E-mail Correspondence (Witness) (item 3, .PDF, 93 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476409&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Record%20of%20E-mail%20Correspondence%20(Witness)-Master.PDF - Accident Photo (item 4, .PDF, 1 photo, 142 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=40476410&FileExtension=.PDF&FileName=Accident%20Photo-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.