LOCUST GROVE, GA, USA
N9871C
NORTH AMERICAN T-6G
SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, WITNESSES REPORTED THAT THE AIRPLANE ENTERED A STEEP, NOSE HIGH, LEFT TURN. ONE WITNESS STATED THAT HE (THE PILOT) 'HONKED IT UP' AND 'REALLY YANKED IT BACK'. WHEN THE AIRPLANE WAS ABOUT 300 TO 400 FEET AGL, THE WINGS LEVELED, 'WAGGED', AND THE AIRPLANE THEN ROLLED INTO THE TERRAIN IN A STEEP, NOSE LOW ATTITUDE. REPORTEDLY, THE AIRPLANE HAD BEEN TOPPED WITH FUEL PRIOR TO TAKEOFF. ALL WITNESSES STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ALL THE WAY TO GROUND IMPACT. AN EXAMINATION OF THE WRECKAGE DID NOT REVEAL EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE.
THE PILOT-IN-COMMAND'S FAILURE TO MAINTAIN AIRCRAFT CONTROL DURING MANEUVERING FLIGHT, ALLOWING THE AIRPLANE TO STALL WITHOUT SUFFICIENT ALTITUDE FOR RECOVERY.
Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database
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