# NTSB LAX99LA158: North American AT-6D, N6979C, Hollister, CA, April 18, 1999

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 17, 1999, 19:00 local (Apr 18, 1999, 02:00 UTC)
- Place: Hollister, CA
- Coordinates: 36.890968, -121.239624 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=36.8910&lon=-121.2396&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report November 22, 2000
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 46142
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX99LA158
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/46142/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX99LA158

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain directional control during landing.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - weather condition - gusts
  - weather condition - crosswind
  - compensation for wind conditions - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

During landing flare on runway 24 the pilot encountered a wind gust and touched down hard on the runway.  Thereafter, he lost control and ground looped.  During the mishap the left wing contacted the runway and broke.  No mechanical malfunctions were reportedly experienced.  The pilot reported the wind was from 260 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 20 knots.

## Factual narrative

On April 17, 1999, at 1900 hours Pacific daylight time, a North American AT-6D, N6979C, registered to California Warbirds, Inc., Cupertino, California, ground looped during landing rollout on runway 24 at the uncontrolled Hollister Municipal Airport, Hollister, California.  Visual meteorological conditions existed, and no flight plan was filed for the local area personal flight performed under the provisions of 14 CFR Part 91.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  Neither the private pilot nor the passenger was injured.  The flight originated from Hollister about 1830.

On April 21, 1999, the pilot reported the accident to the National Transportation Safety Board.  The pilot stated that he landed hard on the runway, lost control, and ground looped.  The left wing contacted the runway and broke.  The pilot subsequently indicated that during his landing flare a wind gust "caught" his right wing.  The pilot also indicated that no malfunctions were experienced with the airplane during the flight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N6979C](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N6979C), registered now, S/N 42-85408 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: North American AT-6D
- Registry model: [North American AT-6D](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-at-6d) (registry code 6400416) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 42-85408
- Airframe hours: 6724
- Engines: P&W R1340 AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: California Warbirds Inc.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, December 19, 1998, 3 hours before
- Departed: 3O7, CA
- Destination: 3O7
- Airport: 3O7, Hollister, runway 24, 3,150 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 60; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 2,300 total, 400 in this make and model, 2,260 as pilot in command, 36 in the last 90 days, 6 in the last 30 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Dusk
- Wind: 260° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 68 °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 19990417003819A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19990417003819A), Apr 17, 1999: Namer AT6D, Hollister, CA, Substantial damage. Acft landed hard, lost control, ground looped, and sustained substantial damage. (From form 19) on April 17, 1999, at 1900 hours pacific daylight time, a north…

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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