# NTSB SEA96LA098: Consolidated-Vultee BT-13A, N56642, Brookings, OR, May 26, 1996 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report - Date: May 26, 1996, 14:30 local (21:30 UTC) - Place: Brookings, OR - Coordinates: 42.130199, -124.239173 (estimated) - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=42.1302&lon=-124.2392&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 1 uninjured - Status: Completed, report February 28, 1997 - Report: Approved by Office Director - NTSB case key (mKey): 42370 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=SEA96LA098 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/42370/pdf - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA96LA098 ## Probable cause the pilot's misjudgment of distance/speed during the approach to landing, his failure to attain a proper touchdown point for landing, and his failure to perform a go-around, while there was sufficient runway and airspeed remaining. The tailwind was a related factor. ## Sequence of events In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf). - Overrun, landing - roll - weather condition - tailwind (contributing factor) - distance/speed - misjudged, pilot in command (cause) - proper touchdown point - not attained, pilot in command (cause) - go-around - not performed, pilot in command (cause) - On ground/water collision with object, landing - roll - object - tree(s) ## Analysis The pilot stated that he was performing take-offs and landings in his World War II vintage aircraft. He stated that the wind direction reversed and became gusty, while he was in the traffic pattern for another landing on runway 12. The pilot elected to continue the approach and landing. He stated that when he realized he had a tail wind, it was 'too late for go-around.' He elected to veer the airplane off to one side of the runway into brush rather than continue off the opposite end of the runway and down a bluff. The right wing of the airplane impacted a fir tree. The airplane then spun around, and the left wing struck a tree stump. No preimpact mechanical deficiency was reported. ## Factual narrative On May 26, 1996, about 1430 Pacific daylight time, N56642, a Consolidated-Vultee BT-13A airplane, operated by the owner/pilot, was substantially damaged during landing in Brookings, Oregon. The commercial pilot, the sole occupant, was not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan had been filed. The personal flight departed from Arcata, California, and was conducted under 14 CFR 91. The pilot stated that he was performing take-offs and landings in his World War II vintage aircraft at the Brookings State Airport. He stated that the wind "did a 180 degree reversal with gusts to 20 [plus knots] estimated by ground observers" while he was in the traffic pattern for another landing on runway 12. The pilot elected to continue the approach and landing. He stated that when he realized he had a tail wind, it was "too late for go-around." He stated that he "elected to go off [the side of the runway] in brush rather than off bluff at end." The right wing of the airplane impacted a fir tree. The airplane spun around and the left wing struck a tree stump. No preimpact mechanical deficiencies were reported. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N56642](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N56642), registered now, S/N 6097, built 1941 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: Consolidated-Vultee BT-13A - Registry model: [Consolidated Vultee BT-13A](https://openairdocs.org/model/consolidated-vultee-bt-13a) (registry code 2420224) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R-985 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r-985-series) (registry code 52008, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 6097 - Airframe hours: 2805 - Engines: P&W R-985 450 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Registered owner: Giannandrea, Gary F. - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 1, 1995, 72 hours before - Departed: ACV, ARCATA, CA - Destination: BOK - Airport: BOK, Brookings State, runway 12, 2,600 × 50 ft, asphalt ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 51; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: front; flight hours: 4,000 total, 800 in this make and model, 15 in the last 90 days, 10 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 120° at 7 knots - Visibility: 20 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 61 °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 19960526019939A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19960526019939A), May 26, 1996: Cvac BT13A, Brookings, OR, Substantial damage. Wind change to tailwind ignored caused potential overrun. Veered off side runway to avoid same. Wing struck a tree. 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. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.