Summary
On June 20, 2009, a North American/victoria Mnt Lt AT-6A (N9793Z) was involved in an incident near Olympia, WA. All 2 people aboard were uninjured. The aircraft sustained substantial damage.
The National Transportation Safety Board determined the probable cause of this incident to be: The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind gust and failure to maintain directional control while landing.
While making a three-point landing in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot encountered a strong crosswind gust about the same time as he was initiating the landing flare. Because the pilot was unable to compensate for the wind gust, the airplane touched down with its right main landing gear beyond the right edge of the runway. The pilot saw that the airplane was approaching a runway sign, so he added power in order to execute a go-around, but the right wing impacted the sign before he could get it airborne. Immediately after the airplane impacted the sign, the pilot cut the power and aborted the go-around. The airplane's right wing and its fuselage both sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no problems with any of the airplane's control systems.
This incident is documented in NTSB report WPR09CA300. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N9793Z.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind gust and failure to maintain directional control while landing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Current)
Analysis
While making a three-point landing in his tailwheel-equipped airplane, the pilot encountered a strong crosswind gust about the same time as he was initiating the landing flare. Because the pilot was unable to compensate for the wind gust, the airplane touched down with its right main landing gear beyond the right edge of the runway. The pilot saw that the airplane was approaching a runway sign, so he added power in order to execute a go-around, but the right wing impacted the sign before he could get it airborne. Immediately after the airplane impacted the sign, the pilot cut the power and aborted the go-around. The airplane's right wing and its fuselage both sustained substantial damage. The pilot stated that there were no problems with any of the airplane's control systems. The reported wind conditions included wind gusts up to 18 knots at the time of the accident.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# WPR09CA300