Consolidated-Vultee BT-13A accident near Oxford, Connecticut, December 18, 1997
On December 18, 1997 at about 5:15 pm local time, a Consolidated-Vultee BT-13A, registered N67868, was substantially damaged in an accident near Oxford, Connecticut (Waterbury-Oxford airport). It was an instructional flight under general aviation rules (Part 91). 2 people had minor injuries. The weather was visual conditions (good weather).
The NTSB's probable cause their words, unchanged
The loss of power for undetermined reasons.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made November 2, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- December 18, 1997 · about 5:15 pm local time · cases in 1997
- Place
- Oxford, Connecticut · Waterbury-Oxford · cases near this airport
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- 2 people had minor injuries.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- Consolidated-Vultee BT-13A
- Registration
- N67868 · registry record · serial 1421
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Instructional flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilots departed in the BT-13A. A witness observed the airplane climb at about 50 degree nose up. As the airplane passed through about 125 feet above the ground, it did an immediate left wing down turn and dove into the trees beyond the horizon. The pilots reported the engine lost power, and the fuel selector was on the left tank. Post accident examination revealed 17 gallons of fuel in the left tank, and the right tank empty. Fuel was also found in the carburetor.
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: airline transport pilot, flight instructor
- Ratings: multi-engine land; single-engine land; instructor: airplane multi-engine; instructor: airplane single-engine; instructor: instrument airplane; instrument: airplane; rotorcraft: helicopter
- Flight time: 6,330 hours in all; 30 in this make and model; 94 in the last 90 days; 17 in the last 30 days; 6,060 as pilot in command
- Medical certificate: Class 1 (valid medical--no waivers/lim.)
- Seat: rear
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 2,262 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, May 17, 1997; 18 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 4,350 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: fixed
- Engine: P&W R-985-AN-3 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: OXC at 5:15 pm
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 36, 5,000 ft by 100 ft
- A second pilot was aboard
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 37°F (3°C), dew point 23°F (-5°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 4:50 pm from OXC
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew | 2 |
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.
Connections how this case links to the rest of the register
- N67868 on the register today · the tail number may have moved to another aircraft since
- Engine: P&W R-985-AN-3 4 aircraft carry this series today · as the NTSB recorded it
- Waterbury-Oxford Airport · nearest airport
- Accidents and incidents in Connecticut 522 since 1982 · 68 in the last ten years
- Connecticut 1,612 aircraft registered
The whole map of how records connect · these connections as data: /graph/accident/NYC98LA044.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.