North American AT-6 Safety Record

The pilot’s failure to maintain airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in the exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack and an aerodynamic stall/spin.

The pilot’s decision to conduct extended inverted flight, which resulted in a total loss of engine power due to fuel flow disruption. Contributing to the accident was his decision to conduct aerobatic maneuvers at low altitude, which precluded him from selecting a suitable landing site following the total loss of engine power.

The loss of engine power due to fuel starvation during climbout for undetermined reasons, because postaccident examination of the fuel system did not reveal any discrepancies that would have precluded normal engine operation. Contributing to the accident was the pilot not visually checking the fuel level prior to departure.

The pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed while maneuvering, which resulted in an aerodynamic stall and spin. Contributing to the accident was the pilot's improper decision to perform the maneuvers at a low altitude and over water.

The front seated pilot's inadequate compensation for the right quartering tailwind and failure to maintain directional control. Also causal was the rear seated pilot's inadequate remedial action and failure to regain directional control.

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.

The pilot's failure to follow the checklist to switch to the fullest fuel tank prior to departure which resulted in fuel starvation and a loss of engine power during the initial takeoff climb. Subsequently, the aircraft landed hard damaging the landing gear which resulted in an intentional wheels up landing. A runway taxiway sign was a factor.

The pilot's attempted turn off the runway at excessive speed, resulting in the right wing raising, the left wing touching the runway, and the left landing gear collapsing.

The pilot not maintaining aircraft control during the landing roll. Factors were the grass the airplane encountered when the airplane ground looped off the runway and the main gear collapsed.

The inadequate fuel supply for the flight, and the inadequate preflight by the pilot resulting in exhaustion of the fuel supply and subsequent loss of engine power. The tree was a contributing factor.

The failure of the pilot of the North American AT6A, N57318 to maintain a proper visual lookout while taxiing, which resulted in him impacting the rear of the Cessna 172K, N522F.