North American AT-6D accident near Hollister, California, April 18, 1999
On April 18, 1999 at about 2:00 am local time, a North American AT-6D, registered N6979C, was substantially damaged in an accident near Hollister, California (Hollister airport). It was a personal flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate compensation for the crosswind condition, and his failure to maintain directional control during landing.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- April 18, 1999 · about 2:00 am local time
- Place
- Hollister, California · Hollister · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American AT-6D · all AT-6Ds on the register
- Registration
- N6979C · registry record · serial 42-85408
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
During landing flare on runway 24 the pilot encountered a wind gust and touched down hard on the runway. Thereafter, he lost control and ground looped. During the mishap the left wing contacted the runway and broke. No mechanical malfunctions were reportedly experienced. The pilot reported the wind was from 260 degrees at 10 knots, with gusts to 20 knots.
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: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 2,300 hours in all; 400 in this make and model; 36 in the last 90 days; 6 in the last 30 days; 2,260 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 6,724 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, December 19, 1998; 3 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: 3O7 CA at 2:30 am
- Destination: 3O7
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 24, 3,150 ft by 100 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: dusk
- Wind: from 260° at 10 knots, gusting 20
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 68°F (20°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 1 | |||
| Passengers | 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.
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.