# NTSB MIA97LA117: North American T6G, N44FL, Wilmington, NC, April 4, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: April 4, 1997, 17:44 local (22:44 UTC)
- Place: Wilmington, NC
- Coordinates: 34.269641, -77.959922 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=34.2696&lon=-77.9599&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report August 25, 1997
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 38245
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=MIA97LA117
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/38245/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/MIA97LA117

## Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control on landing. Factors were: the crosswind and the pilot's lack of experience in type airplane.

## Sequence of events

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

- Loss of control - on ground/water, landing - roll
  - weather condition - crosswind (contributing factor)
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
  - lack of total experience in type of aircraft, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - ground loop/swerve - inadvertent, pilot in command
- Main gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - landing gear,main gear - overload

## Analysis

The pilot stated he was landing with a crosswind. The airplane touched down twice and veered to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder and right aileron. The airplane continued to the right off the runway. The left main landing gear collapsed and the left wing tip collided with the ground. Disassembly of the brake assemblies revealed no abnormal conditions. The pilot indicated he has 13 total hours in aircraft type.

## Factual narrative

On April 4, 1997, about 1744 eastern standard time, a North American T6G, N44FL, registered to a private individual, crashed during landing at New Hanover Airport, Wilmington, North Carolina.  Visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time and no flight plan was filed. The personal flight was conducted under Title 14 CFR Part 91.  The private pilot and one passenger were not injured.  The airplane was substantially damaged. The flight originated from Cape May, New Jersey, about 2 hours 44 minutes before the accident.

The pilot stated he was landing with a crosswind. The airplane touched down twice and veered to the right. The pilot applied full left rudder and right aileron. The airplane continued to the right. The airplane departed the runway, the left main landing gear collapsed, and the left wing tip collided with the ground.

Examination of the landing gear revealed the left main gear sheared about 6 inches from the base of the oleo strut. The oleo strut had been subjected to a high shear load from the left side. The right main landing gear exhibited similar side loading, and the right main landing gear support fork from the axle to the oleo strut was bent about 30 degrees. Disassembly of the brake assemblies revealed no abnormal conditions.

The pilot indicated in the NTSB Pilot/Operator Aircraft Accident Report that he has 13 total hours in the T6G airplane.

## Aircraft

- Registration: N44FL (not matched to a registry record)
- Reported make and model: North American T6G
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 49-3359
- Airframe hours: 14421
- Engines: P&W 1340 AN1 600 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert Tullius
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, January 13, 1997, 6 hours before
- Departed: WWD, CAPE MAY, NJ
- Destination: ILM
- Airport: ILM, New Hanover, runway 17, 7,000 × 150 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 61; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 1,800 total, 13 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 220° at 11 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 72 °F, dew point 46 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observed at: ILM

## 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 19970404010849A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19970404010849A), Apr 4, 1997: Namer T6G, Wilmington, NC, Substantial damage. Veered right sharply on landing roll. Side load broke left strut. Left wing hit ground. Right strut bent. Side load (-23) on 04/04/097 aircraft N44FL, 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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