# NTSB MIA87LA162: North American AT-6D, N2996Q, Fernandina Bch, FL, May 23, 1987

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: May 23, 1987, 16:30 local (20:30 UTC)
- Place: Fernandina Bch, FL
- Coordinates: 30.649047, -81.440933 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=30.6490&lon=-81.4409&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 9, 1988
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 31914
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA87LA162
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/31914/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA87LA162

## Sequence of events

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

- Airframe/component/system failure/malfunction, landing - roll
  - landing gear,tailwheel - pressure excessive (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, other maintenance personnel (cause)
  - landing gear,tailwheel - vibration (cause)
  - landing gear,tailwheel - failure,partial (cause)
- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - directional control - not possible, pilot in command
- On ground/water encounter with terrain/water, landing - roll

## Analysis

TAIL WHEEL STRUT WAS FOUND TO BE OVER SERVICED CAUSING IT TO BE EXTENDED HIGHER THAN NORMAL. THIS WOULD CAUSE THE AIRCRAFT TO BE HARDER TO STEER. ON LANDING IN A CROSS WIND THE PILOT EXPERIENCED VIBRATION OF THE TAIL WHEEL FOLLOWED BY FAILURE DUE TO TORSIONAL OVERSTRESS OF THE TAIL WHEEL BELLCRANK. TAIL WHEEL STEERING CONTROL WAS THEN LOST AND THE AIRCRAFT RAN OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE RUNWAY CAUSING COLLAPSE OF THE MAIN LANDING GEAR.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N2996Q](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N2996Q-2020-02-28), registration cancelled 2020-02-28, S/N 49-3071, built 1950 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6D
- Registry model: [North American T-6G](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-t-6g) (registry code 6400432) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 493071
- Airframe hours: 15985
- Engines: P&W R1340 reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Scott S.Burch
- Registered owner: Burch Brothers Inc
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 31, 1987
- Departed: ISM, KISSIMMEE, FL
- Airport: 55J, Fernandina Beach Munic., runway 4, 5,300 × 100 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 30; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 417 total, 198 in this make and model, 395 as pilot in command, 14 in the last 90 days, 2 in the last 24 hours

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 80° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 7 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 79 °F, dew point 66 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: CRG, 16 nm away

## 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 19870523018679A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19870523018679A), May 23, 1987: Namer AT6D, Fernandina Beac, FL, Substantial damage. Over inflated tail wheel strut caused pilot to lose control when it broke off on landing in a crosswind side load.

## Other investigations on N2996Q (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 GAA18CA068](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/GAA18CA068), Dec 5, 2017: North American T 6 (N2996Q), Chesapeake, VA, substantial damage. Probable cause: The pilot’s loss of directional control during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion and nose over.

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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