North American SNJ-2 accident near Skaneateles, New York, October 15, 1993
On October 15, 1993 at about 2:30 pm local time, a North American SNJ-2, registered N61563, was substantially damaged in an accident near Skaneateles, New York (Skaneatles airport). It was a ferry flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 1 person was killed. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The pilot's inadequate preflight preparation which failed to adequately secure cargo, resulting control interference. A factor was the overgross weight condition of the airplane.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- October 15, 1993 · about 2:30 pm local time
- Place
- Skaneateles, New York · Skaneatles · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 1 person was killed.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American SNJ-2 · all SNJ-2s on the register
- Registration
- N61563 · registry record · serial 2025
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Ferry flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
THE PILOT DEPARTED ON A CROSS COUNTRY FLIGHT IN HIS WORLD WAR II VINTAGE AIRPLANE, ABOUT 360 POUNDS OVER THE MAXIMUM GROSS TAKE-OFF WEIGHT. APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES AFTER TAKEOFF, THE AIRPLANE WAS OBSERVED, BY WITNESSES, FLYING IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION TOWARD THE DEPARTURE AIRPORT. THE AIRPLANE BEGAN DESCENDING RIGHT TURNS, AND ESTABLISHED A FINAL APPROACH TO A HAY FIELD. DURING THE DESCENT THE LANDING GEAR WAS EXTENDED. THE AIRPLANE WAS ON SHORT FINAL WHEN IT MADE A RIGHT TURN, NOSED OVER, AND IMPACTED THE GROUND. THE EXAMINATION OF THE AIRPLANE REVEALED NO EVIDENCE OF MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION. FIVE TRACTOR BATTERIES AND TWO BRIEF CASES WERE FOUND UNSECURED IN THE AIRPLANE. ONE BRIEF CASE TOP WAS CRUSHED NEAR THE CASE HANDLE, AND WAS FOUND ON THE REAR FLOOR, BETWEEN THE REAR FLIGHT CONTROL AND THE LEFT REAR RUDDER PEDAL.
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: multi-engine land; multi-engine sea; single-engine land; single-engine sea; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 13,000 hours in all; 3,000 in this make and model
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (valid medical--w/ waivers/lim.)
- Seat: frt
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,253 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, August 1, 1993; 36 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 6,000 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: P&W R-1340-AN1 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Destination: CLT Charlotte NC
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 0
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 090° at 5 knots
- Visibility: 5 statute miles
- Sky: scat at 12,000 ft
- Temperature: 48°F (9°C), dew point 0°F (-18°C)
- Observation at 2:00 pm from SYR, 18 miles away
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 N61563 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.