North American AT-6 N44ZZ
1 July 1990 · Buffalo, New York, United States · Fatal
Summary
On 1 July 1990 at about 18:12 local time, a North American AT-6 registered N44ZZ, operated by Gifford T. Foyle, was involved in an accident near Buffalo, New York, United States. One person was on board and one died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.
The record
- Date
- at 18:12
- Classification
- Accident
- Location
- Buffalo, New York, United States
- Coordinates
- Not recorded
- Aircraft
- North American AT-6
- Registration
- N44ZZ
- Category
- Airplane
- Engines
- 1
- Operator
- Gifford T. Foyle
- Operating rule
- Part 91: General Aviation
- Purpose of flight
- Other Work Use
- Phase of flight
- Not recorded
- Route
- Buffalo → Unknown
- Aircraft damage
- Destroyed
- Weather
- VMC
- Light
- Day
- NTSB number
- NYC90LA142
People
1 person died.
| On board | Died | Serious | Minor | Uninjured |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Probable cause
LOSS OF CONTROL IN FLIGHT DUE TO PHYSICAL IMPAIRMENT. FACTORS RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT WERE: THE PILOTS USE OF AN OVER THE COUNTER ANTIHISTAMINE.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record. This site does not paraphrase or interpret it.
Read the full NTSB narrative
THE PILOT WAS PERFORMING AEROBATIC MANEUVERS IN AN AIRSHOW. THE PILOT WAS EXECUTING A ROLL WHEN AFTER 270 DEGREES OF ROLL, THE RATE DECREASED CONSIDERABLY. THE NOSE DROPPED AND THE AIRPLANE IMPACTED THE WATER IN A 40 DEGREE NOSE DOWN, 45 DEGREES RIGHT WING LOW ATTITUDE. THE PILOT WAS FOUND TO HAVE A PACKAGE OF 'CALMEX' IN HIS CLOTHING. THIS IS AN OVER THE COUNTER ANTIHISTAMINE. IN ADDITION, THE DRUG DIPHENHYDRAMINE WAS FOUND IN HIS BLOOD, LIVER, AND STOMACH. ACCORDING TO THE FAA EASTERN REGION FLIGHT SURGEON, THE DRUG COULD CAUSE SLOWED REACTION TIMES AND DROSSINESS, AND COULD AFFECT THE PILOT'S PERCEPTION OF EQUILIBRIUM.
Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.
Other North American AT-6 accidents
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Feb 1989 | North American AT-6 | Compton, California, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 30 Jul 1993 | North American AT-6 | Matawan, New Jersey, United States | Bi-Plane Adventure Tours Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 3 Aug 1985 | North American AT-6 | Port Isabel, Texas, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 6 Mar 1983 | North American AT-6 | Norman, Oklahoma, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 5 May 2001 | North American AT-6 D | Prescott, Arizona, United States | William S. Modes | No injuries | - |
| 24 Aug 2003 | North American AT-6 | Omaha, Nebraska, United States | - | No injuries | - |
Other accidents in this area
| Date | Aircraft | Location | Operator | Outcome | Died |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 Jul 1990 | Piper PA-23 | Shirley, New York, United States | Joseph R. Scioscia | Minor injuries | - |
| 17 Jul 1990 | Grumman AA-1 | Highland, New York, United States | - | Minor injuries | - |
| 19 Jul 1990 | Piper PA-28-180 | Hudson, New York, United States | Mark K. Davis | Minor injuries | - |
| 28 Jul 1990 | Cessna 172 | Edinburg, New York, United States | Richmor Aviation, Inc. | No injuries | - |
| 29 Jul 1990 | Robinson R22HP | Shirley, New York, United States | - | No injuries | - |
| 4 Aug 1990 | Cessna 140 | Middlesex, New York, United States | Thomas L. Gaile, SR. | No injuries | - |