On April 21, 1984, a North American AT-6D (registration N10605) operated by James E. Neundorfer was involved in an aviation accident near Cypress, TX. This summary draws on records from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) historical archive.
An aircraft crashed after entering a spin following a high-speed pass and steep climb. No mechanical malfunctions or pilot impairments were found.
Accident Description
The accident occurred shortly after takeoff when the pilot executed a high-speed pass over the runway, followed by a steep climb. The aircraft then entered a spin to the right, which ended in a crash and intense ground fire that destroyed the aircraft.
Pre-Accident Flight
Just prior to the accident flight, another pilot had flown the same aircraft for approximately 20 minutes without any issues. That pilot reported that the aircraft operated in a trouble-free manner.
Investigation Findings
Examination of the aircraft revealed no mechanical malfunctions. A physical examination of the pilot showed no pre-accident impairments that would have interfered with the proper operation of the aircraft.
Conclusion
The aircraft crashed while spinning after only a few minutes of flight. The investigation did not identify a specific cause for the accident.