Summary
On August 10, 2019, a Consolidated Vultee BT13 (N62644) was involved in an incident near Franklin, PA. 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 failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left main landing gear collapsing.
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and veered left. The airplane exited the runway onto the adjacent grass and the left main landing gear collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
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 the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots and variable from 290° to 350°. The airplane was departing from runway 3.
This incident is documented in NTSB report GAA19CA491. AviatorDB cross-references NTSB investigation data with FAA registry records to provide comprehensive safety information for aircraft N62644.
Accident Details
Probable Cause and Findings
The pilot's failure to maintain directional control during takeoff in gusting crosswind conditions, which resulted in a runway excursion and the left main landing gear collapsing.
Aircraft Information
Registered Owner (Historical)
Analysis
The pilot of the tailwheel-equipped airplane reported that, during takeoff, the airplane encountered a gust of wind and veered left. The airplane exited the runway onto the adjacent grass and the left main landing gear collapsed.
The airplane sustained substantial damage to the left wing.
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 the time of the accident, the wind was from 320° at 8 knots, gusting to 17 knots and variable from 290° to 350°. The airplane was departing from runway 3.
Data Source
Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# GAA19CA491