# NTSB ATL03CA105: Ayers RV-6A, N221SA, St. Simons Isld, GA, June 11, 2003

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · Minor injuries · Data collection · Final report
- Date: June 11, 2003, 11:30 local (15:30 UTC)
- Place: St. Simons Isld, GA
- Coordinates: 31.151666, -81.39389
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=31.1517&lon=-81.3939&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Takeoff](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/300) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: Minor injuries
- Injuries: 1 minor
- Status: Completed, report September 30, 2003
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- Parties: Atlanta FSDO
- NTSB case key (mKey): 57432
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ATL03CA105
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/57432/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ATL03CA105

## Probable cause

The pilot's inadequate preflight inspection that resulted in his failure to remove the seatbelt (flight control gust lock) from the right side flight control stick.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - on ground/water, takeoff - roll/run
  - flt control syst,yoke/control stick - locked (cause)
  - removal of control/gust lock(s) - not performed, pilot in command (cause)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled
  - terrain condition - ground

## Analysis

According to the pilot, the right control stick was secured with the passenger seat belt, acting as a gust lock. The pilot stated that he took off without removing  the seat belt from the control stick. When the airplane pitched up, it veered to the left side of the runway,  the pilot reduced engine power, landed off the left side of the runway and flipped inverted.

## Factual narrative

On June 11, 2003, at 1130 eastern daylight time, a Steven Ayers experimental RV-6A, N221SA, owned and operated by the private pilot landed off the runway and flipped over during an aborted takeoff at Malcolm McKinnon Airport, St. Simons Island, Georgia. The personal flight was operated under the provisions of Title 14 CFR part 91 and instrument flight rules. Visual weather conditions prevailed and an IFR flight plan was filed. The pilot received minor injuries and the experimental airplane was substantially damaged. The flight was originating at the time of the accident.

According to the pilot, the right control stick was secured with the passenger seat belt, acting as a gust lock. The pilot stated that he took off without removing the seat belt from the control stick. When the airplane pitched up, it veered to the left side of the runway, the pilot reduced engine power, landed off the left side of the runway and flipped inverted.  No mechanical or flight control malfunctions were reported by the pilot prior to the accident.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N221SA](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N221SA), registered now, S/N 23147, built 1998 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Ayers RV-6A
- Registry model: [Ayers Steven D RV-6A](https://openairdocs.org/model/ayers-steven-d-rv-6a) (registry code 05608QL) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Amateur-built UNKNOWN ENG](https://openairdocs.org/engine/amateur-built-unknown-eng) (registry code 99999) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane, amateur-built
- Serial number: 23147
- Engines: Lycoming O-320-D1A reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Paul L. Dorn Jr.
- Airworthiness certificate: Special, Experimental (Special)
- Departed: SSI, St. Simons Isld, GA
- Destination: FTY, ATLANTA, GA
- Flight plan: IFR
- Airport: SSI, Dummy, runway 22

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 67; injuries: minor; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3; flight hours: 750 total, 117 in this make and model

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 0° at 0 knots
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Temperature: 86 °F, dew point 73 °F
- Altimeter: 30.05 inHg
- Observed at: KSSI

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 20030611018109A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20030611018109A), Jun 11, 2003: Amtr RV6A, Brunswick, GA, Substantial damage. (-23) On June 11, 2003 at approximately 1242 EDT, a steven d. ayers experimental RV-6A aircraft crashed during take-off from runway 22 at the saint simons…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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