Consolidated Vultee BT-13A accident near Camas, WA
On April 21, 2021, a Consolidated Vultee BT-13A (airplane) was involved in an accident near Camas, WA. 1 person died. Damage to the aircraft: substantial.
- Date
- April 21, 2021
- Place
- Camas, WA
- Aircraft
- Consolidated Vultee BT-13A · Airplane
- Injuries
- 1 fatal, 1 serious, 0 minor
- Damage
- Substantial
- Position
- 45.628°N, 122.404°W
- NTSB ID
- 20210422102959
Official records · WPR21FA170
- Public docket: reports, statements and exhibits from the investigation
NTSB summary
HISTORY OF FLIGHTOn April 21, 2021, about 1513 Pacific standard time, a Consolidated Vultee BT-13A, N53331, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Camas, Washington. The pilot receiving instruction was fatally injured and the flight instructor sustained serious injuries. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. The instructor, who was seated in the aft seat, reported that the purpose of the accident flight was to provide recurrent training to the pilot receiving instruction. They departed, flew to a nearby airport, and conducted several takeoffs and landings in the tailwheel-equipped airplane before returning to the departure airport. The instructor stated that the first approach to land on runway 25 resulted in go-around, due to a confusion with the power setting and altitude and airspeed fluctuations to the runway. Following the second approach, the pilot performed a three-point landing, and during the landing roll, the airplane veered left and exited the runway. The instructor stated that the pilot did not attempt to return to the runway, but at an airspeed of about 35 miles per hour, “the pilot added full power and immediately pitched up.” The airplane climbed in ground effect to about 30 ft above the ground, then entered a “stalling left turn.” The instructor stated that the bank angle to the left continued to increase as the nose dropped before the airplane impacted terrain. The instructor further added that he had been guarding the flight controls but because of the low altitude, he
Probable cause
The pilot’s exceedance of the airplane’s critical angle of attack during an aborted landing, resulting in an aerodynamic stall and impact with terrain.
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Browse: Washington
Source: NTSB aviation accident database (US government, public domain). Findings may be preliminary or later revised by the NTSB. Not a complete global record.
