North American AT-6D N494S

Summary

On 15 October 2005 at about 22:20 local time, a North American AT-6D registered N494S was involved in an accident near Mocksville, North Carolina, United States. 2 people were on board and one died, one was seriously injured. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

15 October 2005 at 22:20

Classification

Accident

Location

Mocksville, North Carolina, United States

Coordinates

36.0472, -80.5067

Aircraft

North American AT-6D

Registration

N494S

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Mocksville → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

ATL06LA007

1 person died.

The pilot's improper fuel management resulting in a total loss of engine power due to fuel starvation and an in-flight collision with trees and the ground.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.

Read the full NTSB narrative

A witness stated he observed the airplane depart to the north and climb to about 500 feet. The witness observed the airplane make a steep left 90-degree bank back towards the runway, in a slight nose down attitude. The witness then observed the nose and wings of the airplane come back to a level attitude. 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 hunters 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. The hunters lost sight of the airplane and heard it collide with the ground, followed by smoke rising above the trees. Examination of the crash site revealed the fuselage forward of the vertical stabilizer was destroyed by fire except for the outer 1/3 of the left and right wing. The right main fuel tank had been ruptured and received fire damage. The left main fuel tank was not ruptured and fire damage was present on the exterior of the fuel tank. The left fuel cap was removed and no fuel was present. The inside of the fuel tank revealed a shinny interior. The fuel selector valve was removed and a functional check revealed no anomalies. The left wing fuel sump was opened and no fuel was present. The left and right fuel selector knobs were located in the wreckage and the fuel selector handle was positioned on the right main fuel tank. Witnesses who were present when the pilot departed stated, the airplane had been topped off with 70.2 gallons of low lead fuel earlier in the day. The pilot had flown 5 flights after the airplane was refueled for 1 hour and 25 minutes before the accident. Review of Pratt and Whitney 1340-AN-1 engine operational data revealed the engine will burn 35 to 40 gallons of fuel per hour at cruise power settings. At maximum takeoff power the engine will burn up to 70 gallons of fuel per hour.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.