# NTSB SEA95LA057: North American AT-6G, N4269E, Salem, OR, February 25, 1995

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: February 25, 1995, 15:56 local (23:56 UTC)
- Place: Salem, OR
- Coordinates: 45.009437, -122.910888 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.0094&lon=-122.9109&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 24, 1995
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 42115
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA95LA057
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42115/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA95LA057

## Probable cause

THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL DURING THE LANDING ROLLOUT.

## 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
  - directional control - not maintained, pilot in command (cause)
- Gear collapsed, landing - roll
  - ground loop/swerve - encountered, pilot in command
  - landing gear - overload

## Analysis

THE PILOT PERFORMED A WHEEL LANDING, THEN ALLOWED THE TAIL TO COME DOWN AS SPEED BLED OFF DURING ROLLOUT.  HE STATED THAT WHEN THE TAIL WHEEL MADE CONTACT WITH THE RUNWAY, TAIL WHEEL STEERING APPEARED TO BE NORMAL, AND HE USED IT TO MAINTAIN HIS POSITION ON THE CENTERLINE OF THE RUNWAY.  THE TOWER ISSUED TAXI INSTRUCTIONS AND, ABOUT THAT TIME, THE AIRCRAFT SWERVED TO THE LEFT AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT WITH RIGHT RUDDER AND RIGHT BRAKE.  THE AIRCRAFT CONTINUED TURNING, SKIDDED SIDEWAYS, AND THE RIGHT MAIN LANDING GEAR COLLAPSED, ALLOWING THE WING TO STRIKE THE SURFACE.

## Factual narrative

On February 25, 1995, at 1556 Pacific standard time (PST), a North American AT-6G, N4269E, experienced a main gear collapse during the landing roll at McNary Field, Salem, Oregon. The private pilot and his passenger were not injured, but the aircraft sustained substantial damage. The local personal pleasure flight, which departed the same airport about 1530, was being operated in visual meteorological conditions. No flight plan had been filed, and there was no report of an ELT activation.

According to the FAA inspector who responded to the accident, the pilot reported that he lost control of the aircraft during the landing roll, and accidently departed the side of the runway. After the aircraft departed the runway, it started turning sideways in the soft terrain, resulting in the collapse of one main gear.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4269E](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N4269E), registered now, S/N 53-4601-1 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6G
- Registry model: [North American Medore T-6G](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-medore-t-6g) (registry code 6400433) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 53-4601-1
- Airframe hours: 1349
- Engines: P&W R-1830-AN1 550 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Operator: Hardman, Larry W.
- Registered owner: James D. Morgan/Larry Hardman
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Last inspection: Annual, February 23, 1994, 98 hours before
- Airport: SLE, Mcnary Field, runway 34, 5,145 × 140 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 53; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; seat: front; flight hours: 1,000 total, 55 in this make and model, 980 as pilot in command, 28 in the last 90 days, 9 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 9 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 55 °F, dew point 48 °F
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg

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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