# NTSB LAX85FA241: North American AT6A, N144KM, Lemoore, CA, May 5, 1985

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Fatal · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: May 5, 1985, 12:45 local (19:45 UTC)
- Place: Lemoore, CA
- Coordinates: 36.289497, -119.81945 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.2895&lon=-119.8195&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Fatal
- Injuries: 1 fatal
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 24506
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX85FA241
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/24506/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX85FA241

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering
  - aerobatics - inaccurate, pilot in command (cause)
  - altitude - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)

## Analysis

AFTER DROPPING A PARACHUTIST TO OPEN AN AIR SHOW THE PLT'S TAKEOFF WAS DELAYED BY A BLOWN TIRE ON A LANDING AIRPLANE AND DIFFICULTIES WITH FILLING HIS SMOKE OIL TANK. AFTER COMPLETING ABOUT TWO THIRDS OF HIS AEROBATIC ROUTINE THE PLT RECOVERED FROM A REVERSE CUBAN EIGHT AT A LOW ALTITUDE. THE ANGLE OF ATTACK INCREASED DURING THE RECOVERY AND THE AIRSPEED APPEARED TO DECREASE. THE PLT BEGAN A ROLL TO THE LEFT WHICH CONTINUED PAST 180 DEG BEFORE THE NOSE OF THE ACFT DROPPED SHARPLY. THE AIRPLANE STRUCK THE GROUND INVERTED IN A NOSE DOWN ATTITUDE AT A BANK ANGLE LESS THAN 90 DEG. THERE WAS A LOUD EXPLOSION FOLLOWED BY A SEVERE GROUND FIRE.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N144KM](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N144KM-2014-09-05), registration cancelled 2014-09-05, S/N 78-6394, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT6A
- Registry model: [North American-Mckee AT-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-mckee-at-6a) (registry code 6400409) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 78-6394
- Airframe hours: 1825
- Engines: P&W R1340AN 550 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Part 91
- Registered owner: Kirk R. Mckee
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 1, 1985
- Airport: NLC, Lemoore, runway 14L

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; toxicology performed; flight hours: 3,100 total

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 280° at 3 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F, dew point 41 °F
- Altimeter: 29.00 inHg
- Observed at: NLC

## 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 19850505077729A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19850505077729A), May 5, 1985: Namer AT6A, Lemoore, CA, Destroyed. The aircraft impacted the ground during air show aerobatics. The pilot may have been affected by a dislocated knee.

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.

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