North American AT-6G accident near Grand Junction, Colorado, March 28, 1990
On March 28, 1990 at about 9:20 pm local time, a North American AT-6G, registered N426DB, was substantially damaged in an accident near Grand Junction, Colorado (Walker Field). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
THE PILOT'S FAILURE TO CORRECT A SWERVE DURING LANDING ROLL.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- March 28, 1990 · about 9:20 pm local time
- Place
- Grand Junction, Colorado · Walker Field · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American AT-6G · all AT-6Gs on the register
- Registration
- N426DB · no longer on the register · serial 49-3292
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE COMMERCIAL PILOT MADE A LANDING ON RUNWAY 11, WITH WINDS HE ESTIMATED WERE 210 DEGREES AT 19 GUSTING TO 29 KNOTS. HE SAID THAT DURING LANDING ROLL, THE PLANE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND DEPARTED THE RUNWAY. HE ADDED POWER TO ATTEMPT TO REGAIN DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, TO NO AVAIL. THE LEFT MAIN GEAR LEG SNAPPED AND THE PLANE GROUND LOOPED TO THE LEFT AND CAME TO REST NOSE DOWN. THE RIGHT WING, COWLING, AND BOTH MAIN LANDING GEAR WERE DAMAGED. THE AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER VERIFIED THAT THE WIND WAS GUSTING TO 30 KNOTS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.
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
Pilot
- Certificate: flight instructor, commercial pilot
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: glider
- Flight time: 5,000 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 10 in the last 90 days; 4 in the last 30 days; 5,000 as pilot in command; 15 on instruments
- Medical certificate: Class 2 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: unk
The aircraft
- Last inspection: inspection type not recorded; 0 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W R-1340-AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: CNY Moab UT at 8:40 pm
- Destination: GJT
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 11, 10,500 ft by 150 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 210° at 19 knots, gusting 29
- Visibility: 90 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 0°F (-18°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 |
Documents from the investigation the NTSB's docket: the evidence folder behind the report
The docket, the folder of records gathered during an investigation (maintenance records, photographs, witness statements, examinations), has not been read from the NTSB for this case yet; the list appears here once it has. Open the docket at the NTSB.
Other NTSB records under N426DB the same tail number, which may have belonged to a different aircraft at the time
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 never names anyone involved. A preliminary report can change; the final report usually follows one to two years later, and the page is refreshed when it does.