Pilot Debrief

NORTH AMERICAN AT6 near Mason, MI — 2016-05-18

Final reportCEN16TA194
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Date
2016-05-18
Location
Mason, MI, USA
Airport
TEW
Aircraft
NORTH AMERICAN AT6
Registration
N757LF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
None
Fatalities
0
Phase of flight
Landing

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and impact with a ditch.

NTSB narrative

The commercial pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during the landing roll on runway 10, the airplane encountered a wind shift and gust. He stated that he added aileron flight control input to "counteract the wind shift" but that the airplane "veered/looped" to the left, exited the runway, and continued into a ditch. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing structure. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation. The airport's automated weather observation station reported that, about 14 minutes after the accident, wind was from 00° at 5 knots, gusting to 14 knots. Given the evidence, the pilot likely lost directional control during the landing roll in gusting crosswind conditions.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Human factors
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have aborted landing due to unexpected wind shift.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

  • Photos
  • 3 docket documents
View NTSB final reportView NTSB docket

Docket documents3

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