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Thu Oct 20, 2005 2:04 pm
NTSB Identification: ATL06LA007
14 CFR Part 91: General Aviation
Accident occurred Saturday, October 15, 2005 in Mocksville, NC
Aircraft: North American AT-6D, registration: N494S
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 October 15, 2005, at 1820 eastern daylight time, a North American AT-6D, N494S, registered to a private owner collided with trees and the ground while maneuvering in the vicinity of Mocksville, North Carolina. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed and no flight plan was filed. The airplane was partially destroyed by fire. The airline transport rated pilot was fatally injured, and one passenger received serious injuries. The airplane departed from a non registered private airfield in the vicinity of Mocksville, North Carolina, on October 15, 2005 at an undetermined time.
One witness stated he observed the airplane depart to the north and climb to about 500 feet. He then observed the airplane make a steep left 90-degree bank back towards the runway, in a slight nose down attitude. The witness observed the nose and wings of the airplane come back to a level attitude. The airplane was about 3/4 of a mile from the runway and the witness could not hear the engine. The witness stated the airplane appeared to be "mushing/dropping" down in a flat slight nose down attitude until it disappeared from view. Two hunters stated they observed the airplane at tree top level circling. The hunter stated the engine sounded like it was shutting down and quit. They then heard a sound like the pilot was attempting to restart the engine. At 1820, witnesses heard the airplane collide with the ground, and they observed smoke rising above the trees.
Thu Oct 20, 2005 6:13 pm
That is terrible.
I am guessing the engine quitting had to do with lack of fuel, or too much fuel. Maybe something went wrong with the carburetor during that steep left 90-degree bank in a slight nose down attitude.
Eric