Boeing PT-17 N4106Y accident near Winnie, Texas

Probable cause

The pilot’s decision to takeoff from a road with obstacles in his flight path and his failure to maintain control of the airplane when encountering changing winds from approaching thunderstorms which resulted in the airplane impacting signal light cables.

NTSB analysis

The pilot reported that while taking off from a road, the airplane encountered a sudden wind shift which after becoming airborne caused the airplane to settle. As the airplane approached power lines above a road signal light and cables, the pilot decided to fly under the power lines. During the descent, the airplane impacted the signal light cables. The airplane yawed to the left, struck the ground, and nosed over into a ditch on the side of the road coming to rest inverted. The airplane sustained substantial damage to the wings and fuselage. The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical failures or malfunctions with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.

In his NTSB Form 6120.1, the pilot reported that he put pressure on himself to fly the airplane to shelter due to approaching thunderstorms and would not recommend second guessing any approaching weather conditions. He stated that the abrupt wind changes from possible downdrafts were factors in the airplane’s inability to clear the obstacles in its flight path.

Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for CEN22LA003 for the full record.