Pilot Debrief

NORTH AMERICAN T6 near Santa Rosa Beach, FL — 2010-03-06

Final reportERA10FA163
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Date
2010-03-06
Location
Santa Rosa Beach, FL, USA
Aircraft
NORTH AMERICAN T6
Registration
N47LF
Category
Airplane
Highest injury
Fatal
Fatalities
2
Phase of flight
Maneuvering

Probable cause

The pilot's failure to maintain airspeed during a low altitude,over water aerobatic maneuver, which resulted in an aggravated stall/spin. Contributing to the accident were the pilot's loss of situational awareness and his decision to perform aerobatics at a low altitude.

Contributing factors

Contributing to the accident were the pilot's loss of situational awareness and his decision to perform aerobatics at a low altitude.

NTSB narrative

The accident airplane was number 5 in a five-plane, in-trail, over water formation. The flight leader estimated that the formation was about 500 feet above the water, and a trail pilot estimated that the airplanes were about 2,000 yards apart. The formation was headed eastbound, along a beach. A video clip revealed that some of the airplanes completed aileron rolls. When the number 5 airplane attempted a left aileron roll, it reached a 180-degree (completely upside down) position with the nose dropping to about 10 degrees below the horizon. As the airplane continued through about 225 degrees, at an estimated 15-degrees nose low attitude, it began a turn to the right while still continuing the left roll. As the airplane reached a southerly heading, away from the beach, it passed through about 315 degrees of the left roll (right wing still 45-degrees down.) The roll suddenly reversed, the wings briefly went vertical (left wing up, right wing down), and the nose dropped, indicative of a stall. As the airplane continued rolling to the right, it appeared to go slightly inverted. It then descended into the water about 90-degrees nose low, with the top of the airplane facing the beach. The right wingtip was the first part of the airplane to strike the water, and as it did, the angle of the wings in relation to the horizon was about 45 degrees. No objects were observed departing the airplane during the maneuver, and no distress calls were noted by any of the other pilots. Although the airplane was recovered in pieces, no preexisting mechanical anomalies were noted. Propeller damage indicated the likelihood that the engine was powered at impact.

Analysis

Primary failure mode
Loss of control
First missed decision gate
Pilot could have avoided performing aileron rolls at low altitude.

NTSB coding

Evidence available

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

Docket documents15

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