North American T-6G accident near Perry, Michigan, May 28, 2012
On May 28, 2012 at about 5:50 pm local time, a North American T-6G, registered N3753G, was substantially damaged in an accident during maneuvering (low-alt flying) near Perry, Michigan (Pingston Aeroworks airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot’s failure to maintain control while maneuvering at low altitude after takeoff, resulting in a collision with a barn.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- May 28, 2012 · about 5:50 pm local time · cases in 2012
- Place
- Perry, Michigan · Pingston Aeroworks · cases near this airport · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed and 1 person was seriously injured.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American T-6G · all T-6Gs on the register
- Registration
- N3753G · registry record · serial 493177
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot stated that the run-up and takeoff were normal. After takeoff to the south, he was planning to overfly the runway for a “photo pass.” He reported that he executed a slight right turn, followed by a left turn. He noted that the engine was running normally. However, he did not recall any subsequent events regarding the accident sequence. A witness reported that once airborne, the airplane turned right and then started a left turn above the trees. He noted that during the left turn, the airplane bank angle steepened and the descent rate increased. The engine sounded normal until impact with a barn. A postaccident examination did not reveal any anomalies consistent with a preimpact malfunction or failure. The pilot reported the wind was from the southwest, gusting to 20 knots with light turbulence, at the time of the accident. Based on the reported prevailing wind, a left turn after takeoff resulted in the airplane encountering a progressively increasing downwind condition during the turn.
The complete narrative as the NTSB published it. The NTSB's docket holds the report as a PDF and any photographs, statements and other documents from the investigation.
The factual record from the NTSB's investigation tables, in plain English
What happened, in order
- Loss of control in flight during maneuvering (low-alt flying) defining event
- Collision with terrain or object (not controlled flight into terrain) during maneuvering (low-alt flying)
The NTSB's findings
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Heading/course › Not attained/maintained
Pilot
- Certificate: airline transport pilot, flight instructor, flight engineer
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instrument: airplane
- Flight time: 25,560 hours in all; 73 in this make and model; 7 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 22,060 as pilot in command; 711 on instruments
- Last flight review: December 1, 2010
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: serious injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,668 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, March 29, 2012; 6 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W R1340-AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: 54MI Bryon MI at 5:45 pm
- Destination: JXN Jackson MI
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 18, 2,600 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 17 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: broken clouds at 6,500 ft
- Temperature: 90°F (32°C), dew point 61°F (16°C)
- Altimeter: 29.81 inHg
- Observation at 5:53 pm from LAN, 15 miles away
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
5 documents, released by the NTSB on October 22, 2012. View them here, or download them; the NTSB redacts some personal details before release, and this site shows the NTSB's own titles rather than its file names.
| # | Document | What it is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pilot/operator Aircraft Accident Report, NTSB Form 6120.1 | PDF, 9 pages | View Download |
| 2 | Pilot Statement | PDF, 1 page | View Download |
| 3 | Witness Statements | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
| 4 | Pilot Logbook -- Excerpts | PDF, 4 pages | View Download |
| 5 | Airplane Maintenance Logbooks -- Excerpts | PDF, 6 pages | View Download |
The same docket at the NTSB · documents without a copy here are fetched from the NTSB when you open them.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N3753G on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- North American T-6 Texan 109 registered today · the model family and its accident history
- North American 1,297 aircraft on the register
- Engine: P&W R1340-AN1 64 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Pingston Aeroworks Airport · nearest airport
- Jackson County/Reynolds Field · bound for
- Accidents and incidents in Michigan 2,107 since 1982 · 230 in the last ten years
- Michigan 7,231 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/CEN12LA324.json.
The bigger picture in Aviation Analytics: accidents over time since 1982, by model, by phase of flight and conditions, by place and on the map.
Everything on this page comes from the NTSB's public records. The narrative, probable cause and findings are the NTSB's own words; the coded tables behind the report are written out in plain English, with pilots' ages, home towns and medical details left out. The documents and photographs are the NTSB's docket, shown as the NTSB released them. This site's own text does not name anyone involved, its policy at this time. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.