North American T-6G N44CT

Summary

On 20 July 1993 at about 21:40 local time, a North American T-6G registered N44CT was involved in an accident near Berryville, Virginia, United States. 2 people were on board and 2 died. The aircraft was destroyed. The NTSB has published a probable cause for this accident; it is quoted in full below.

Date

20 July 1993 at 21:40

Classification

Accident

Location

Berryville, Virginia, United States

Coordinates

39.1403, -77.9806

Aircraft

North American T-6G

Registration

N44CT

Category

Airplane

Engines

1

Operator

Not recorded

Operating rule

Part 91: General Aviation

Purpose of flight

Personal

Phase of flight

Not recorded

Route

Winchester → Unknown

Aircraft damage

Destroyed

Weather

VMC

Light

Day

NTSB number

BFO93FA132

2 people died.

1.) The pilot's poor judgment in performing a maneuver in close proximity to the ground, and 2.) the pilot's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which resulted in an inadvertent stall/spin and subsequent loss of control in flight, resulting in a collision with terrain. Factors related to the accident were 1.) inadequate altitude for the pilot to effect remedial action, and 2.) the ostentatious display by the pilot.

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

Read the full NTSB narrative

The pilot was observed by witnesses performing a low pass around the pilot's home, then pulling up abruptly into a climbing turn. At an altitude of about 300 feet to 500 feet above the ground, the airplane was then observed to pitch down and enter a steep dive. Some witnesses reported that it was 'turning' and 'spinning' as it descended, and that the engine 'revved up.' The airplane stalled, entered a spin, impacted the ground, and burned. An examination of the airframe and engine did not reveal any mechanical malfunctions. The airplane had been observed performing low passes around the pilot's home on several occasions prior to the day of the accident.

Quoted verbatim from the NTSB record.