# NTSB LAX91LA392: North American AT-6G, N29931, Reno, NV, September 12, 1991

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: September 11, 1991, 17:00 local (Sep 12, 1991, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Reno, NV
- Coordinates: 39.519374, -119.810104 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=39.5194&lon=-119.8101&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report March 31, 1993
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 27358
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX91LA392
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/27358/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX91LA392

## Probable cause

THE FAILURE OF THE PILOT TO MAINTAIN AN ADEQUATE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE AIRCRAFT AND THE GROUND WHILE MANEUVERING AROUND A PYLON, WHICH RESULTED IN A LOSS OF CONTROL DURING LANDING.

## Sequence of events

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

- Dragged wing,rotor,pod,float or tail/skid, maneuvering
  - clearance - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - flight control,aileron - loss,partial
  - flight control surfaces/attachments - jammed
  - aircraft control - restricted, pilot in command
- Forced landing, descent - emergency
- In flight collision with terrain/water, approach - vfr pattern - final approach
  - remedial action - not possible, pilot in command

## Analysis

THE AIRCRAFT WAS FLYING THE RENO AIR RACE COURSE DURING TRIALS. THE AIRCRAFT WAS ON THE RACE COURSE AND SEEMED TO ENTER A TURN AT ONE OF THE PYLONS AT A LOWER THAN NORMAL ALTITUDE. THE LEFT WING CONTACTED THE GROUND. THE PILOT WAS ABLE TO RECOVER THE AIRCRAFT TO LEVEL FLIGHT AND MADE A LEFT BASE ENTRY TO RUNWAY 18. AS THE AIRCRAFT TURNED FROM BASE TO FINAL, IT CONTINUED TO BANK TO THE LEFT UNTIL THE LEFT WING CONTRACTED THE GROUND AND THE AIRCRAFT CART WHEELED. ABOUT THREE FEET OF THE LEFT AILERON WAS FOUND AT THE PYLON WHERE THE FIRST WING CONTACT OCCURRED. THE PILOT SAID THAT THE AILERON CONTROLS WERE JAMMED AND HE COULD ONLY CONTROL THE AIRCRAFT IN ROLL BY USE OF THE RUDDER AND POWER CHANGES. AS THE AIRCRAFT TURNED FINAL FOR THE RUNWAY, THE PILOT SAID HE REDUCED POWER HOWEVER, HE COULD NOT GET THE AIRCRAFT TO RESPOND FAST ENOUGH AND THE LEFT WING TIP CONTACTED THE GROUND.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N29931](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N29931), registered now, S/N 49-3449, built 1943 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6G
- Registry model: [North American AT-6G](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-at-6g) (registry code 6400434) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49-3449
- Engines: P&W R-1340-AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Part 91
- Operator: James A. Mott
- Registered owner: Classic Airports
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Unknown, January 2, 2000
- Departed: 4SD, RENO, NV
- Airport: 4SD, Stead, runway 18, 8,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; commercial; airplane ratings: multi-engine land, single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 8,000 total, 1,200 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 99 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 81 °F

## 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 19910911039249A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19910911039249A), Sep 11, 1991: Namer AT6G, Reno, NV, Substantial damage. Wing tip hit ground turning pylon. Recovered but dragged wing on landing and cartwheeled. Came to rest inverted.

## Other investigations on N29931 (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 CHI85LA268](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI85LA268), Jul 4, 1985: North American AT-6G (N29931), Dixon, IL, substantial damage

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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