Warbird Suffered A Loss Of Power During Takeoff, Pilot Fatally Injured

The NTSB has released a preliminary report in an accident involving an AT-6F in which the pilot was fatally injured, but the passenger managed to get out of the airplane after it came to rest upside down in Nashua River. While the warbird reportedly lost power on takeoff, the Board did not find any obvious mechanical issues in its initial examination.

NTSB Identification: ERA11LA050
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, November 06, 2010 in Fitchburg, MA
Aircraft: NORTH AMERICAN/SCHWAMM AT-6F, registration: N164US
Injuries: 1 Fatal, 1 Serious.

This is preliminary information, subject to change, and may contain errors. Any errors in this report will be corrected when the final report has been completed.

On November 6, 2010, about 1310 eastern daylight time, a North American AT-6F, N164US, was substantially damaged following a loss of engine power and collision with terrain during the approach to Fitchburg Municipal Airport (FIT), Fitchburg, Massachusetts. The certificated commercial pilot, who was the aircraft operator, was killed, and a passenger received serious injuries. Day, visual meteorological conditions prevailed at the time, and no flight plan was filed for the local, revenue sightseeing flight. The flight was conducted under the provisions of 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91.

An inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration reported that the airplane was approaching FIT after a local sightseeing flight. The pilot was seated in the front seat and the passenger was in the rear seat. On final approach for landing on runway 32, the engine lost power and quit. The pilot’s attempts to restart the engine were unsuccessful. The airplane collided with terrain short of the runway and came to rest inverted in the Nashua River. The passenger was able to egress the cockpit unassisted.

ANN File Photo

The wreckage was recovered to the airport where the FAA inspector performed a preliminary examination of the wreckage. The propeller was rotated by hand and no internal binding or unusual noises were observed. Several spark plugs were removed and the electrodes exhibited normal color and wear. The wreckage was subsequently moved to a storage facility in Clayton, Delaware where a more detailed examination of the wreckage will be performed.

Weather, recorded at FIT at 1252, included winds from 350 at 6 knots, visibility 10 statute miles, sky clear, temperature 8 degrees C, dew point 0 degrees C, and altimeter setting 30.11 inches Hg.

FMI: www.ntsb.gov