North American AT-6G accident near Ely, Nevada, July 28, 2009
On July 28, 2009 at about 8:30 pm local time, a North American AT-6G, registered N555Q, was substantially damaged in an accident during landing (landing roll) near Ely, Nevada (Ely Airport (Yelland Field)). 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 failure to maintain directional control during the landing roll.
Source: NTSB aviation accident database, copy made October 5, 2026. Docket and reports at the NTSB.
What the record shows
- Date
- July 28, 2009 · about 8:30 pm local time
- Place
- Ely, Nevada · Ely Airport (Yelland Field) · map
- Type
- Accident
- Injuries
- No one was hurt; 2 people were on board or involved.
- Weather
- visual conditions (good weather)
- Aircraft
- North American AT-6G · all AT-6Gs on the register
- Registration
- N555Q · registry record · serial 197-042
- Damage
- Substantial damage
- Flight
- Personal flight · general aviation rules (Part 91)
The NTSB's narrative final · quoted from the NTSB record
The pilot reported that during the landing roll in the tailwheel-equipped airplane, he lowered the tail and applied braking action to slow the airplane. After applying the brakes, the airplane veered to the right and exited the runway into an area of soft dirt. The left main landing gear subsequently collapsed and the left wing contacted the surface resulting in substantial damage. A post accident examination of the airplane's brakes revealed no anomalies which would have precluded normal operation.
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 on ground during landing (landing roll) defining event
- Runway excursion during landing (landing roll)
- Landing gear collapse during landing (landing roll)
The NTSB's findings
- Environmental issues › Physical environment › Terrain › Sloped/uneven › Effect on operation
- cause Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability › Performance/control parameters › Directional control › Not attained/maintained
- cause Personnel issues › Task performance › Use of equip/info › Aircraft control › Pilot
Pilot
- Certificate: private
- Ratings: single-engine land
- Flight time: 1,160 hours in all; 58 in this make and model; 25 in the last 90 days; 15 in the last 30 days; 900 as pilot in command
- Last flight review: May 23, 2009
- Medical certificate: Class 3 (with waivers/limitations)
- Seat: frt
- Injury: no injuries
The aircraft
- Airframe total time: 4,912 hours
- Last inspection: annual inspection, June 30, 2009; 22 hours since
- Maximum gross weight: 5,300 lb
- Seats: 2
- Landing gear: retractable
- Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 (piston); 0 hours total
The flight
- Departed from: LVK Livermore CA at 5:45 pm
- Destination: ELY Ely NV
- Flight plan: none
- Runway 30, 4,814 ft by 60 ft
Weather at the time
- Light: daylight
- Wind: from 030° at 7 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Sky: clear
- Temperature: 95°F (35°C), dew point 48°F (9°C)
- Altimeter: 30.00 inHg
- Observation at 8:25 pm from ELY
Injuries
| Fatal | Serious | Minor | None | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight 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.