N6601C

Substantial
None

NORTH AMERICAN AT-6FS/N: 121-42479

Accident Details

Date
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
NTSB Number
CEN21LA352
Location
Adrian, MI
Event ID
20210804103627
Coordinates
41.867674, -84.077306
Aircraft Damage
Substantial
Highest Injury
None
Fatalities
0
Serious Injuries
0
Minor Injuries
0
Uninjured
2
Total Aboard
2

Probable Cause and Findings

The loss of control during landing due to the out of rig condition of the tailwheel which resulted in a ground loop and impact with the runway.

Aircraft Information

Registration
Make
NORTH AMERICAN
Serial Number
121-42479
Engine Type
Reciprocating
Year Built
1957
Model / ICAO
AT-6FT6
Aircraft Type
Fixed Wing Single Engine
No. of Engines
1
Seats
2
FAA Model
AT-6F

Registered Owner (Current)

Name
NICHOLLS AVIATION LLC
Address
8 THE GREEN STE A
City
DOVER
State / Zip Code
DE 19901
Country
United States

Analysis

The pilot receiving instruction during the instructional flight stated that he performed a wheel landing and the airplane touched down on the runway centerline. After the tailwheel touched down onto the runway, the airplane began to track left. The pilot began to apply increasing right rudder control input, but the airplane continued to track left. He then applied right “differential steering” and the airplane overshot the runway centerline, tracking right. He was unable to arrest the right track with full left rudder control input and left brake. The airplane ground looped, the left landing gear collapsed, and the left wing struck the ground resulting in substantial damage to the left wing spar. Postaccident examination of the airplane revealed that the tailwheel was out of rigging specifications, which would have resulted in a loss of directional control during landing.

Data Source

Data provided by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). For more information on this event, visit the NTSB Records Search website. NTSB# CEN21LA352