# NTSB WPR23LA261: North American AT-6G, N92761, La Grande, OR, July 8, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · No injuries · Class 4 · Limited · Final report - Date: July 8, 2023, 01:00 local (08:00 UTC) - Place: La Grande, OR · La Grande/Union County Airport - Coordinates: 45.289078, -118.00612 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=45.2891&lon=-118.0061&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Landing](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/550) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) - Highest injury: No injuries - Injuries: 2 uninjured - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 4 - Basic report with no Prelim publish - NTSB office: Western Pacific Region - Parties: Federal Aviation Administration - NTSB case key (mKey): 192577 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=WPR23LA261 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/192577/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192577 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/WPR23LA261 ## Probable cause The pilot's failure to maintain clearance from trees during an airstrip overfly, which resulted in impact damage to the left wing. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Object/animal/substance: tree(s)](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020): Environmental issues › Physical environment · Effect on operation; cases with it: [North American AT-6G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md?model=6400434), [All aircraft, 933 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/03022020/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [North American AT-6G, 3 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=6400434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Landing: Collision during takeoff/land](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490) (defining event); cases with it: [North American AT-6G, 1 case](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md?model=6400434), [All aircraft, 1,309 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/490/sequence.md) - [Landing: Landing gear collapse](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094); cases with it: [North American AT-6G, 2 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md?model=6400434), [All aircraft, 1,787 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/094/sequence.md) ## Analysis The pilot reported that while overflying a grass airstrip to land, the left wing struck a tree after crossing the departure end of the runway at treetop level. The pilot maneuvered to a local airport for an emergency landing. During landing, shortly after the airplane crossed the runway threshold, a ground observer notified the pilot that the left landing gear was not extended. The pilot then placed the landing gear selector lever in UP position, but the right gear did not retract Subsequently, the airplane ground looped shortly after touchdown and collapsed the right landing gear. Post accident examination revealed that the left wing had substantial damage from impact with a tree. The pilot added that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N92761](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N92761-2024-09-14), registration cancelled 2024-09-14, S/N 182-413, built 1958 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: NORTH AMERICAN AT-6G - Registry model: [North American AT-6G](https://openairdocs.org/model/north-american-at-6g) (registry code 6400434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Pratt & Whitney R1340 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/pratt-whitney-r1340-series) (registry code 52016, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 182-413 - Year built: 1958 - Airframe hours: 7410 - Engines: P&W R-1340-S1H1 600 horsepower reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Personal, Part 91 - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: Annual, July 12, 2023, 30 hours before - Departed: KJSY, Joseph, OR - Destination: KUAO, Aurora, OR - Airport: LGD, La Grande/Union County, runway 12, 6,261 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Handheld GPS, ADS-B ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Pilot; age 49; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land, single-engine sea; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 2, with waivers/limitations; last flight review May 11, 2023; seat: front; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 2,365 total, 14 in this make and model, 2,254 as pilot in command, 20 in the last 90 days, 8 in the last 30 days, 3 in the last 24 hours - Pilot; age 78; injuries: none; flight instructor, commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: with waivers/limitations; last flight review January 8, 2022; seat: rear; restraint: 4-point; flight hours: 11,028 total, 605 in this make and model, 10,878 as pilot in command, 24 in the last 90 days, 12 in the last 30 days, 0 in the last 24 hours ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: calm - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 75 °F, dew point 50 °F - Altimeter: 29.91 inHg - Observed at: KLGD - METAR: KLGD 081956Z AUTO 00000KT 10SM CLR 24/10 A2991 RMK AO2 LTG DSNT SW RAB32E45 SLP109 P0000 T02440100 ## 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 20230708009409A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20230708009409A), Jul 8, 2023: North American AT-6G, La Grande, OR, Substantial damage. On July 8th 2023 La Grande, OR (lgd): AT-6G, jsy-uao, while en route to uao the pilot intended to make a stop at minam lodge (private strip) but struck a tree… ## Docket (3 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on November 2, 2023, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=192577. 4.1 MB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 2.2 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16136315&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=WPR23LA261%20FLAT%206120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Photos (item 2, PDF, 2 pages, 1.8 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16139549&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Photo%201%20WPR23LA261-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, pilot (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 63 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16185577&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memorandum%20of%20Record%20complete%20Narrative%20WPR23LA261-Rel.pdf 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.